22 October 2007 By Graham Croker
A great piece of fielding from fast bowler Marty Pascal helped Sydney University to a heart-stopping one run win over Sutherland in their limited over grade game at Caringbah Oval on Saturday.
Pascal unleashed a direct hit to run out NSW opener Phil Jacques, who had pushed a ball to mid-on and set off for a quick single. Jacques was on 18 at the time and following an innings of 167 for NSW against Western Australia the previous week.
Despite the early loss of Jacques, who is in contention to take over Justin Langer’s spot in the Australian team, Sutherland battled to the end chasing the 7-250 Sydney University scored off their 50 overs.
In a dramatic finish, Sutherland scored 19 off the final seven balls to finish on 8-249.
The win capped off a great day for Sydney University in the Sydney Grade competition, with Seconds, Thirds, Fourths and Fifths all chasing down targets to win.
Sydney University Firsts remain unbeaten with two limited over wins, a two-day win and a two-day draw.
Saturday’s win was established on the back of a 126-run opening partnership between openers Greg Mail and Ed Cowan. Mail hit nine fours in compiling 94 off 122 balls, while NSW opener Cowan cracked 11 boundaries in scoring 66 off 77 deliveries.
Ian Moran (36), Kevin Desai (17) and Mark Faraday (13) helped to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Luke Fleming (2-42) and Daryl Tuffey (1-25) were the best of the Sutherland bowlers.
With openers Jacques and David Murphy (19) back in the pavilion and 39 on the board, it was left to Steve Smith (86) and Matthew Bradley (54) to keep Sutherland in the hunt. When Smith departed at 6-209, the match hung in the balance. But some big hitting from Luke Dudman (36 not out) and Adam Fleming (13) took the match to the wire. The best of the University bowlers were Greg Mail (2-31) before retiring with a hand injury, Ian Moran (2-47) and Tom Keirath (2-56).
In the lower grades, Ben Larkin scored 47 not out to guide Seconds to 5-156 in reply to Sutherland’s 164. Sutha Sivalapan (57) and Huw McKay 44 not out) helped Thirds to 5-197 in reply to Sutherland’s 9-196; Aaron Hickey (77 not out) and Pete Jordan (43) helped Fourths to 3-198 in reply to Sutherland’s 197; and Alistair Grant (87) and Mark Hackett (30) helped Fifths to 9-182 in reply to Sutherland’s 8-179.