Celebrate 125 years
About 400 people turned up for a joyful, sunny day at Drummoyne Oval on 4 October to celebrate 125 years of Tigers through all its manifestations. After fears of rain, we were blessed with sunshine, a drying breeze and a good-natured crowd where it felt half of them were old friends and the other half would be new ones. Plenty of food, the odd drink for some and two bright and breezy T20s going down to the last ball rounded out the day.
Many families had three generations present, many old friends gathered to reminisce and make new plans, and many volunteers saw the fruits of their labour on show. Players from other clubs, representing the SCG XI, saw, and perhaps wondered. It was a fantastic advertisement for a historic, and strengthening, club.
Premier's Plate 2022
Each year the previous season’s 1st grade premiers play against a team selected from the other Premier Cricket teams under the banner of the SCG XI. This year by chance, and with perfect timing, Sydney 1st grade in both men’s and women’s divisions were able to play the Premier’s Plate at home. The timing, to coincide with the 125 years anniversary, was impeccable.
Sydney Cricket Club v SCG XI (men)
Sydney 161 (W Fort 56, N Doyle 55, T Pinson 3/35, D Malone 2/24) beat SCG XI 158 (C Litchfield 56, D Mortimer 47, T Mullen 1/20, H Manenti 1/27)
The men kicked off in brilliant sunshine with Sydney batting first. The SCG XI lost their opening bowler to injury after three balls, and Sydney took advantage with brilliant drives over the top, bold sweeps and delicate late cuts. Will Fort knocked his middle in with 56 off 40, with Nathan Doyle similarly stylish gathering 55 off 45.
The SCG XI came out fighting and for a long while were ahead of the rate, particularly through Charlie Litchfield (56 off 32) and Damien Mortimer (47 off 48). But the loss of two wickets slowed them at a vital stage, and they fell three runs short.
Tom Pinson of the SCG XI won the Simon Katich Medal for player of the match with his 3/35 off four overs and 26 off 19.
Sydney Cricket Club v SCG XI (women)
SCG XI 5/138 (R Dick 40, S Horley 37, S-J Johnson 3/13, G Lockhart 1/21) beat Sydney 6/135 (S-J Johnson 54, S Dimeglio 25, R Dick 2/11, S Horley 2/20)
The women’s game was the mirror image. The SCG XI scored freely after the early loss of Alyssa Healy, with Saskia Horley (37 off 27) and Rhiannon Dick (40 off 37) leading the charge. Sammy-Jo Johnson kept the target within reach with one early and two late wickets.
Sydney started well with Sammy-Jo Johnson leading the way with 54 off 41, well supported by Samira Dimeglio. The game was on the line until the last ball, with a boundary needed to tie the scores, but the 12 needed from the final over proved just a bit too much.
Sammy-Jo Johnson was named player of the match and won the Lisa Sthalekar Award for her 54 off 41, and 3/13 off two.
