VICTORIA UNIVERSITY WINS UNIVERSITY CRICKET CHAMPIONSHIPS

Victoria University were winners of the 2008 New Zealand Universities Cricket Championships held in Palmerston North last week. The students (ranging from 1^st years to post graduates) won three out of four games and defeated defending champions Auckland University of Technology in the final by a comfortable 103 runs. Victoria last won this competition in 2005.

(Pic: Vic Uni vs Auckland Uni)

The side relied on three dominant batting displays to set up their victories. Leading the team was 18 year old opener Nick Wanden who dispatched bowlers to all parts of Fitzherbert Park on his way to scores of 36, 82, 27 & 109. Fellow Victoria batsmen Mathan Thevakulasingam, James Boyle, Mike Green and another 18 year old Adam Clark put in important performances with the willow.

The bowling was lead by the consistent medium swing of Neil Badenhurst and Adam Clarke with off spin bowler James Boyle taking vital wickets during the tournament. The part time (but very willing) wicket keeping of Mitch Lee’s was also of a good standard.

The team had a great time up in Palmerston North including a Thai Dinner, Poker Night (won by Mike Green) and a ‘boat-race’ following the Final with the Massey team.  

Overall the cricket played by Victoria was consistently of a high standard and we were popular winners of the tournament. This was recognised with 5 Victoria players making the New Zealand Universities Cricket Team. The team would like to thank TACTICS Limited, VUWSA and the Victoria University Cricket club for their generous support.

Victoria University Cricket Team:

James Boyle (Captain, NZ Universities Team)

Mike Green (Vice captain)

Nick Wanden (NZ Universities Team)

Mathan Thevakulasingam (NZ Universities Team)

Chris Leach

Mitch Lees

Adam Clark (NZ Universities Team)

Matt Sadd

Andrew Sturt

Paul O’Halloran

Neil Badenhurst (NZ Universities Team)

Final – Victoria University vs Auckland University of Technology

Victoria University 336/7 (50 overs, N Wanden 109, J Boyle 89, A Clark 54, M Green 44, R River-Smith 3-63(8), A Langton 2-62(8), B Read 1-56(10)) beat AUT University 233 ao (44.4 overs, J Castelino 87, J Boyle 4-58(10), A Clark 3-51(10)). 

Statistics: 

N Wanden - 109 runs off 66 balls

A Clark - 54 runs off 26 balls 

(Left: Nick Wanden gives it the charge. Right: Adam Clark sends down another hooping inswinger.)

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