HAWKESBURY Cricket Club’s first grade team was outdone by Sydney in round two of the NSW Premier Cricket competition.
After Josh Clarke scored 159 on day one, Sydney batsman Matt Rodgers one-upped him, scoring an unbeaten 178 to help secure the win for Sydney.
Hawkesbury posted 342, and Sydney made 4-343, posting a first innings win.
It was the second time in two rounds Hawkesbury’s bowling attack failed to fire, with the team only claiming eight wickets so far this season.
Hawkesbury captain Jay Dyball took two wickets in the innings, while opening bowler Pat Lawrence took one, as did Abdul Kherhkhah.
Hawkesbury did restrict three Sydney batsmen to scores in the 20s, but they could not stop the scoring of Rodgers, who spent six hours at the crease.
It was better news in second grade, where the team won its second match for the year.
Aiden van den Nieuwboer made a club record, taking 8-61, which is the best figure ever recorded by a bowler in second grade for Hawkesbury.
Kerrod Gordon, who returned to Hawkesbury this season, scored 53 runs as the only Hawkesbury batsman to crack a milestone.
However, handy innings from Chaitnya Sharma, 37, Tim Wilson, 45, Antum Naqvi, 46, and Chris Lawrence, 31, helped to deliver a score of 241.
After losing to the toss and being sent in to bat, Hawkesbury then bowled Sydney out for 189, and despite a century from Tristen McDonald, were able to claim their second win.
In third grade, Hawkesbury also lost the toss and was sent in, but this time Sydney prevailed.
A lacklustre showing with the bat saw Hawkesbury post 156 from 38.5 overs. Sydney then batted for 52 over, posting 8-204 before declaring and sending Hawkesbury back in.
With their second opportunity with the bat, the third grade team fared much better, posting 5-156, with Dean Laing scoring a half century, however, time ran out and stumps was called.
In a positive note, long time player Shane Mott took his 500th wicket for Hawkesbury.
Fourth grade had a tough round, as Sydney piled on the runs against them.
Sydney won the toss and sent themselves in, and made the most of that decision, posting 6-288 before declaring. The scoring was led by Travis Loxton at number 3, who scored 90.
In reply, Hawkesbury could only manage 149 runs, with Nicholas Toscan the highest scorer at 41.
Finally, in fifth grade, Hawkesbury secured a first innings victory.
After winning the toss, Hawkesbury batted first and scored 210 runs in 61 overs, before bowling Sydney out for 178.
After two rounds, Hawkesbury is seventh on the club championship ladder with 155 points.
In round three, Hawkesbury will play Eastern Suburbs, with the first grade team to play at Bensons Lane.