The Surrey pairing of Jade Dernbach and Arun Harinath kicked-off their Poidevin-Gray (PG) Shield campaign with a convincing seven wicket win over Sydney University at the weekend.

Dernbach struck twice with the ball early on and the visitors were in trouble at 20 for five.
Harinath made 15 with the bat They scrambled to 147 but it was never going to be enough against a very disciplined Randwick-Petersham side, who polished off the total for the loss of just three wickets.

Dernbach finished with 2-28 from eight overs and Harinath, who opened the innings for Ranwick-Petersham made a decent start but fell for 15 just when he started to look dangerous.

It is a good start for the Randy-Petes who are looking for a strong showing in this year’s competition. The Poidevin-Gray Shield is an U21 50 over a side competition that all 20 Sydney grade clubs compete in and in the past, many a first-class cricketer have used the competition as a stepping stone to help further develop their game. Current Australian Test cricketer, Michael Clarke is one man to have come through the competition as well as a whole host of NSW players.

Dernbach and Harinath’s next match in the PG Shield is on 27 November.

Meanwhile, in the regular grade competitions, Dernbach’s first grade side was beaten by 105 runs at the hands of Eastern Suburbs. After bowling Easts out the week before for 319 (Dernbach took 2-57), the Randy-Petes were well beaten as they were bowled out for 214. Dernbach, coming in at number 11, made four not out.

Harinath’s
Tim Murtagh will join the Sydney grade scene from next week second grade side, however came perilously close to Easts’ total of 205. Resuming on 95 for four (Harinath made 31), Randwick-Petersham fell just 20 runs short and were bowled out for 185.

Stewart Walters was also in action at the weekend when he led his Midland-Guildford side into battle against Damien Martyn’s grade side, South Perth in what was a rain affected first day. Walters won the toss and decided to put South Perth into bat and at the close, South Perth were 235-8.

In other news, fellow Surrey players, Tim Murtagh and Neil Saker will both be heading out for Sydney to play some grade cricket during the winter. Murtagh leaves this week and will play for Eastern Suburbs, while Saker does not leave until the end of the month, and will play for Bankstown.

Add to Del.icio.us Digg it share on Facebook (What is this?)

• Listen
• Watch