Around the Grounds: 18-20 October

With the silly season still a few weeks away, it's time to sit back and enjoy the pleasant sights and sounds of suburban sport under the shade of the eucalypts.

WOMEN'S CRICKET
The Universities First Grade team came out swinging to take their second win of the T20 season from as many games. Universities won the toss and opted to send Campbelltown-Camden in to bat. New Sydney Sixers player Stella Campbell drew first blood, getting the wicket of opener Clara Iemma. A tight team bowling performance ensured the opposition finished with only 5/86 from their 20 overs. Sophie Munro was the pick of the bowlers, finished with 2/14 from her four overs. Once again it was Bess Heath who did the damage with the bat for Universities, with her 51 not out including seven boundaries. Having also managed a stumping from the bowling of Mariam Bank, it was a standout performance from Heath.

In Second Grade it wasn't such good news for Universities, who also opted to send Campbelltown-Camden in, but were unable to chase down the total of 149 that was set for them. In response they managed only 5/78 from their 20 overs. Third Grade also suffered a loss, batting first and setting a total of 165 in their 40 over match. Diana Lozell with 51* with the bat and 4/42 with the ball was the stand out performer.

MEN'S CRICKET
The UNSW First Grade team has set themselves up well for the second day of their two-day match, which continues at Pratten Park, Ashfield this weekend. After winning the toss, captain Brandon McLean opted to bat and a strong innings for the team was to follow. McLean led from the front, with a strong 51, ably supported by Matthew Gilkes (48) and Thomas Byrnes (38). They resume hoping to knock over Western Suburbs who are sitting four places above UNSW on the ladder as it stands. 

In Second Grade, UNSW also won the toss and chose to bat at David Phillips South, setting a mammoth total of 363 for Wests to run down this weekend. Jude Fernandopulle was the star for the home team, piling on a huge 121 runs. Benedict Geddes (67) and Ankit Patel (35) were also impressive. Third Grade didn't have their best batting performance, falling for 127 before the day was through with Wests to resume this weekend on 1/95. Fourth Grade ran through Wests in 64 overs to see them all out for 281 and started their innings well, finishing the day on 0/43. Anshul Baruah was the pick of the bowlers, snaring 3/32. Fifth Grade got through Wests' innings which finished at 7/204, which they will aim to chase down when play resumes.

In the Poidevin-Gray Shield (Under 21s) representative competition, UNSW had a strong win from their one day match. After St George won the toss and batted, putting on an impressive 306 at more than a run a ball. In response, UNSW had to go out hard and they did just that. Young Jack Attenborough stepped up as opener and smashed a sensational 160 off 147 in an innings that included 14 boundaries. With wickets falling all around him, Jake Greenberg came to the crease at number nine and held down an end with aplomb, finishing with 68 in an incredible supporting role. The two chased down the total with five balls to spare.

GRIDIRON

A huge win this weekend for the UNSW Raiders Men's team defeating the Sydney Uni Lions 63-21 to win back the Foundation Shovel trophy. The Raiders were the first to score and really didn't take their foot off the throttle for the entire game. "The boys played an incredible game today and I couldn't ask them for any more effort because they just left everything out there" said head coach Andrew Brundu after the game.

Earlier, the Raiders Women's team lost to the Sydney Uni Lions women's team by a single touchdown. They had been up by 20 points at the half but unfortunately let the lead slip away. A chance to tie the game with a few seconds left in the game failed as they couldn't get into the endzone. Both teams wore pink in a round to raise money for the McGrath Foundation.

The Colts team had a bye this week and resume this weekend against the West Sydney Pirates, who sit just below them on the ladder. The UNSW men will also take on the West Sydney Pirates, while the women's team comes up against the Central West Giants. 

Full results
Men’s GNSW League 
UNSW defeated Sydney Uni Lions 61-23
Women’s GNSW League 
UNSW lost to Sydney Uni Lions 24-30
Colts
Bye

TOUCH FOOTBALL
It was a tough week of finals for the UNSW Bullets, with the women's Division 1 and 2 teams bowing out of the finals with losses to Wests Magpies and Appin Warriors respectively. However the Youth Girls League 2 team had an outstanding match against the Cronulla Sharks, beating them five tries to none. 

Full results
Women’s Div 1 lost to Wests Magpies 2-6
Women’s Div 2 lost to Appin Warriors 2-3
Youth Girls League 2 defeated Cronulla Sharks 5-0

HANDBALL

Last weekend saw the season open for the UNSW Handball Club, who play in the NSW Handball League. The women's team kicked off their season with a win, taking down archrivals UTS. Sally Potocki was prolific in the scoring, finishing with 12 goals for the match, while Emma Guignard was close behind her with 10 goals. In the men's competition, it came down to the wire between UNSW and Sydney Uni, with the lads from Camperdown TAFE just sneaking ahead of our black and gold boys by a solitary goal. Lucas Benrabia topped the scoring for UNSW with 10 goals for the match.

Full results
UNSW Women defeated UTS 32-21
UNSW Men lost to Sydney Uni 32-33