Mets pass test against University
METROPOLITAN-EASTS have sent a warning to the rest of the TCI A-grade competition after cruising past University by six wickets at Middle Ridge Park on Saturday.
The Trojans produced a superb all-round performance to knock off the defending one-day champions.
The Students won the toss and chose to bat first but they did not get the start they were looking for.
After spearheading Uni's first round victory, a promotion up the order proved disastrous for Harrison Humphries as the new opener was dismissed for a duck.
A 51-run partnership between Dean Sullivan (21) and Brendan O'Keefe (32) got Uni back on track before Adam Marjoribanks (2-29) sent them both packing.
Desperate to keep the scoreboard ticking over, the Students started to chance their hand with Matthew Walls (58) and Tom Carty (18) both falling to run outs.
But their risky efforts proved worthwhile as Uni reached a defendable total of 6-175.
In reply, Mets opened with experienced pair Troy Gurski (34) and Paul Toohey (24) who looked comfortable at the crease against the young Uni attack.
Carty (2-34) finally snared a breakthrough with the wicket of Toohey before dismissing Jack Budden (zero) in the same over.
The Students were still a chance when David Else (1-28) halted a cameo from Sam Howse (26).
But Uni couldn't stem the flow of runs as in-form all-rounder Matt Dennis (39no) and Darren Koch (47no) combined to guide Mets to victory with four overs to spare.
Mets captain Gurski said Dennis has been a shining light for the Trojans so far this summer after two unbeaten innings.
"Matt's looked pretty good the last two weeks," he said.
"He's been concentrating on holding up the end and turning the strike over. He's got some good attacking batsmen around him."
Gurski said he was pleased to notch a win over the defending champions but stressed it was still early in the season.
"It was really pleasing to get a win over Uni," he said.
"Obviously they're a good team and they've got some good players.
"We can't get ahead of ourselves but we're not looking too bad at the moment."
