Around the Grounds - Covid-19 edition

With start dates of winter sports suspended, there will be no Around the Grounds for a while, so now is a good time to reflect on those final games and bask in the sporting spirit.

WOMEN'S CRICKET

The Universities First Grade team finished with a bye and were third on the ladder after the end of the regular season. With no finals now being played, this is a strong result for them, having been crowned T20 Premiers at the end of 2019. Second Grade managed half a game before play was abandoned due to wet weather, finishing with a draw with Bankstown. Darshana Kannan was the highest scorer for Universities before the match ended with 13 not out.

Third Grade had their T20 semi-final against St George Sutherland washed out mid-game. The Slayers batted first and managed 4/136 before play was abandoned. Emily Cooksey was the pick of the Universities' bowlers, finishing with 2/17. The Under 18s Brewer Shield team had already completed their season, finishing in eighth place, with plenty of potential to improve in 2020/21. The Under 15s also had their match abandoned early due to wet weather. Universities batted first, finishing all out for 58, but were unable to return for Campbelltown-Camden's innings, finishing the match with a draw. Opener Bianca Lozell (10) was the best of the batters.

MEN'S CRICKET

First Grade finished their season with a win, which is always a nice way to go out. After winning the toss, they sent Norths in to bat first and then put on a strong bowling performance to see them all out for 196 in 44 overs. Josh Bennett (4/41) and Suthangan Thanabalasingam (3/41) did the majority of the damage with the ball. A rain affected second innings saw UNSW set 97 to win from 15 overs on DLS. Benedict Geddes clearly had somewhere else to be, because 15 overs was much more than he needed to get the job done. With a sensational 58 from 34 balls, including three fours and five sixes, he led the team to victory in just 10.5 overs.

No luck at all in the lower grades, with all games in Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Grades cancelled due to rain. With the season coming to an early conclusion, it was a sad way to go out for our UNSW teams, but no doubt they will be back and better than ever for the 2020/21 season.

WATER POLO

With the remainder of the 2020 season cancelled, UNSW-Wests managed a final couple of games over the weekend in both the women's and men's competitions. The Killer Whales (women's) played four games across four days, getting two strong wins over UWA Torpedoes, but falling in both games to Fremantle Marlins. In their big 18-4 win over UWA, Hayley Collins starred at the front with four goals,while Elena Little finished with three and UNSW Elite Athlete Program member Amy Ridge got two. The Killer Whales finished the season in fifth position on the ladder, though they played two fewer games than three of the teams ahead of them.

The Magpies (men's) also played four games over the four days and won all of their outings against both UWA Torpedoes and Fremantle Mariners. Their biggest win of the weekend was a 20-7 demolition of UWA on Sunday. Jarrod Gilchrist was sensational in that game, finishing with six goals. Angus Lambie was close behind with four and UNSW Elite Athlete Program member Tim Putt scored two. The Magpies finished in second place, just one point behind Sydney Uni, who played two more games. With a 92% win record, they can surely take the moral victory from the abandoned season.

OTHER SPORT

In these strange times, it's hard to know what is happening with sport and staying active. Arc Sport have compiled this handy list of where cancellations, suspensions and postponements are at right now.

We recommend following Arc Sport on Facebook for further updates, as well as information on great online resources to stay active while social distancing. You can also join the UNSW Sport Facebook group for updates as they come to hand.