COMPETITION RECORD BREAKER SINKS PREMIER MEN – 31 JANUARY 2026
A magnificent 197 from Scott Janett powered Burnside West University to a crushing victory over Sydenham, delivering a measure of revenge for their T20 final loss just before Christmas. Janett’s remarkable innings eclipsed the Christchurch Metro one-day record of 180, previously held by Dylan Hunter since the 2023–24 season. On a punishing day for Sydenham’s attack, Srirag Harish’s 6–86 was one of the few bright spots.
BWU’s Scott Janett
It proved to be a difficult day across all three men’s teams. The Championship side’s bowling was also exposed by another dominant BWU batting display, with the visitors scoring two centuries across both matches played at Sydenham on the day. Earlier, Matt Bell’s unbeaten 52 on seasonal debut had kept his side in contention, but it was the only standout performance for the hosts. Rounding out a disappointing day, Division 2’s three-match winning streak came to an abrupt end when they were dismissed for just 50 over on Sydenham 3, leaving little chance of defending such a modest total.
While the men’s sides struggled, the Premier women looked set to be the morning grade’s sole winners before heartbreak struck at the final hurdle, losing their last three wickets without adding the required final three runs to defeat OBC at Elmwood. Megan Meltzer’s run-a-ball 50 on her return to cricket was the highlight of the innings. There was better news in the afternoon grades. The Division 4 Goats clinched the Div 4 title with a round to spare, thanks to Geordie Dann’s five-wicket haul followed by an opening stand of 55 from Isaac Tutt and George Wigley, which made light work of Lancaster Park’s total of 109.
The Division 5 All-Stars recorded the most emphatic win of the day, skittling BWU for just 29, with Cameron Hatcher (4-4) and Jacob Kotter (3-11) leading the charge. The T20 Gujarat Kings also enjoyed success, as Yash Patel’s 4–22 restricted their opposition to 140–7 before Dhananjay Trivedi’s unbeaten 58 guided the chase. Half-centuries from Paul Mathews (61*) for the Master Cardinals and Wrik Mukherjee (51) for Hospital were in vain, with both Masters sides finishing second best. The Women’s Division 1 Red team rounded out the winners, built largely on contributions from Willow Edwing (41), xxxxx (38*), and Ella Dear (23).
Premier Men
BWU 379-9
Sydenham 122
The Premier men suffered one of their biggest losses in many seasons when they took on Burnside West University on Sydenham 1. After two consecutive weeks of rain and cancelled matches, it was no surprise to see a very green-looking Sydenham track, and equally no mystery why, after winning the toss, the home side asked BWU to bat. However, as is often the case at Sydenham, appearances can be deceiving.
The home side started well with Tom Agnew picking up the wicket of Christie in his second over, but that was about as good as it got for Sydenham for the rest of the match. The other opener Scott Janett and Nick Gibb dominated the next 27 overs as they proceeded to put on 206 for the 2nd wicket at a rate above seven per over. With the wicket playing well, the western boundary somewhat shorter than usual, and the outfield quick by Sydenham Park standards, the two batsmen set their side up for what was always looking like a very big total. When Gibb was out, Janett, who had been out first ball of the innings in the T20 final against Sydenham, well and truly made up for that as he carried on to a well-deserved century, before accelerating and finally falling three short of a double century at 197, a new Metro 1-day record score.
Srirag Harish
With the exception of the parsimonious Tom Agnew, who finished with 1-34 off his ten overs, all of the Sydenham bowlers struggled to bowl in the right areas and took some substantial punishment at times as Burnside finally closed at a commanding 379-9. Srirag Harish took the bulk of the wickets with his 6-86, with the slower bowlers being the only ones to make much inroad, as Burnside’s Day proved in the Sydenham innings
Aarush Bhagwat
Chasing down 379 in any conditions is tough, but Sydenham’s start of 17-3 inside the first five overs would have quickly extinguished any early optimism. Aarush Bhagwat (37 from 41 balls), Ryan Wallace (25 off 28) and Jackson Hemingway (25 off 31) all got starts, but the inevitable rising required run rate progressively led to more lost wickets, with Sydenham eventually bowled out for 122.
Ryan Wallace
With the competition abbreviated by the two rained out matches, and the abandonment of the opening round against OBC, Sydenham are now left probably requiring to win both of its remaining pool matches to make the semi-finals, starting with East Shirley on Saturday at Burwood.
Thanks to umpires Dave Henderson and Mark Woods
Full scoreboard & video highlights: https://live.nvplay.com/nz?tab=m_scorecard#mfa98a4b5-07c4-45a5-9293-22b9a92bfbc1
Premier Women
OBC 172 (33.3 overs)
Sydenham 169 (29.2 overs)
Championship
Sydenham 199 (50 overs)
BWU 202-1 (18 overs)
After two rain-affected weekends, cricket finally returned to Sydenham Park No. 2, where Burnside won the toss and elected to bowl on a surface with a healthy grass covering. While the ball did a bit early, the pitch offered good pace and carry and generally played well throughout. Burnside arrived at full strength, boasting seven players with Premier experience. Sydenham suffered an early setback losing Natanael Paltridge for 3, but a positive 21 from in-form Adityan Suganthi had the innings moving at 39/2 after 10 overs.
Matt Bell
From there, Burnside applied the squeeze through the middle period. Solid contributions from Jack Smith (13), Dhruv Arvindkumar (34) and Tom McDonald (15) kept things ticking, but at 91/4 after 30 overs Sydenham needed someone to lift the tempo to push towards 200. Unfortunately, a cluster of wickets followed as Eliyas Varghese, Shevon Perera, Conway Andrews and Udi Upadhyay were unable to build on starts. The innings was rescued by an outstanding last-wicket partnership. Matt Bell (52* off 52) and Cadell Durdin (13* off 22) combined for a crucial 46-run stand, lifting both the total and team spirits as Sydenham closed on a competitive 199.
Cardell Durdin
Burnside’s reply was explosive. Will Kennedy (26) and Tim Seeto (68*) set a strong platform, capitalising on any loose bowling. The breakthrough came at 79 when Cadell Durdin had Kennedy caught at mid-wicket by Matt Bell. However, that brought overseas player Ben Wright to the crease, who produced a brutal display of power hitting. Wright raced to 100* from just 33 balls, finishing the chase emphatically as Burnside surged to 202 inside 18 overs for a commanding win.
Full scoreboard: https://www.playhq.com/new-zealand-cricket/org/christchurch-metro-cricket-associationcjca/summer-202526/mens-championship/game-centre/99b8888f
Division 2
Match report courtesy of Todd Ward
Sydenham 50 (24 overs)
Heathcote 52-2 (9.4 overs)
The length of this match report reflects the length of the game we played on Saturday. After weeks of rain it seems we were indeed rusty. We won the toss and chose to bat on a hard pitch with ample grass cover. All did not go to plan as we quickly found ourselves 26-6. We were ill-disciplined and shot selection cost us most of our wickets. Although credit is also due to Heathcote, who continued to put pressure on with the ball by bowling in good areas. We were bowled out for 50 in 25 overs.
Benji Williams
Our bowling plan was simple, take wickets. Debutant youth player Daniel Barclay got us our first breakthrough, clean bowling an opener to give us some excitement. He continued to bowl well and picked up another, to finish 2 for 16 after his 4 overs. But we were going to need something very special and we simply didn’t have enough runs on the board. Heathcote chased down the total in 10 overs two down. As individuals, our batters have plenty to reflect on to come back better next week, but as a team, we’ll just put that behind us and look forward to next week.
Potiki Hamilton-Morrison
Full scoreboard: https://www.playhq.com/new-zealand-cricket/org/christchurch-metro-cricket-associationcjca/summer-202526/mens-division-2-red/game-centre/068e7f17
Division 3 Tamils XI – OBC forfeit
No match
Division 4 Goats – WON
Match report courtesy of Jon Bennett
Lancaster Park 109 (34.5 overs)
Sydenham 110-4 (22.3 overs)
The Goats arrived at Garrick Park to play the Lancaster Park Tyrants knowing a win would wrap up the competition with a round to go. With four regulars unavailable the team had a different look with Isaac Tutt and Eli Helms helping us out from the youth section.
With the field having one very short boundary and another very long and the pitch well covered in grass the Goats won the toss and invited Park to bat. Chris and Geordie started well and after eight overs they were only two for six, barely playing a shot. Jon and Arjun continued the tight bowling and at the 20 over break they were 4-42. After the break Faheem came out playing shots hitting four sixes to the short boundary and losing three balls in the process. However wickets crumbled at the other end and Park were eventually bowled out for 109 with Geordie mopping up in his second spell to finish with figures of 5 for 10.
Isaac and George Wigley went out to knock the target off and made batting look easy. Isaac dominated the strike and the scoring early on and it was a surprise to see him bowled for a well-made 36, as part of a 55 run opening partnership. After Kyle fell to a superb caught and bowled Ollie and Geordie knocked off the bulk of the runs easily, losing three of their balls as well, and the Goats won in the 23rd over for a comprehensive win.
Special thanks to the two Youth players who helped us out at short notice. Both performed well in all aspects and they will hold the club in good stead in years to come.
An enjoyable match played in good spirits by both sides where the Goats were even gifted a giant cake by the opposition due to it being one of their guys birthday.
Full scoreboard: https://www.playhq.com/new-zealand-cricket/org/christchurch-metro-cricket-associationcjca/summer-202526/mens-division-4/game-centre/75a7ab0f
Division 4 Royal Challengers – XXXXX
BWU 84 (34.2 overs
Sydenham 73 (28.1 overs)
Full scoreboard: https://www.playhq.com/new-zealand-cricket/org/christchurch-metro-cricket-associationcjca/summer-202526/mens-division-4/game-centre/e43ad829
Division 5 All-Stars – WON
Match report courtesy of Abe Atherton
BWU 29 (19.1 overs)
Sydenham 30-0 (3.1 overs)
The Sydenham Division 5 All Stars took on the Tunnel Wash BWU Broncos at Bradford Park #1, winning the toss and elected to bowl on a lush green wicket. The surface played true, offering good carry to the wicketkeeper and a touch of zip for the quicker bowlers, setting the tone for what would become a dominant bowling performance.
The breakthrough came early when Burnside’s star batsman was run out, thanks to sharp work from 2nd XI fill-in Liam Kenzitt at mid-on, whose direct throw to wicketkeeper Jaedyn Ward resulted in a simple first dismissal. From there, wickets fell in a steady stream. Abraham Atherton and Mark Flowerday opened the bowling with an exceptionally tidy spell, applying pressure through pace and accuracy. Between them they bowled eight overs for just eight runs and claimed two wickets. Flowerday was unlucky not to pick up a wicket despite impressive figures of 4 overs, 1 maiden, 3 runs. Atherton complimented him well, finishing with 4 overs, 1 maiden, 5 runs, and a wicket.
The pressure intensified when Cameron Hatcher continued the pace attack partnering with Jacob Koster. What followed was nothing short of carnage. Both struck in their opening overs and never let the Broncos settle. Koster finished with 4 overs, 11 runs, and 3 wickets, conceding the only boundary of the innings—a solitary six. Jordan McCormick chipped in effectively with 1 wicket for 6 runs from 2 overs, before Hatcher wrapped up the innings in style. Hatcher’s figures were outstanding: 5.1 overs, 2 maidens, 4 runs, and 4 wickets. Jaedyn Ward and Sumedha Senarathna were safe in the field, each taking a catch. The Broncos were bowled out for just 29 runs in 19.1 overs.
Chasing a modest target, Sydenham made their intentions clear from the outset. Jaedyn Ward struck two boundaries in the opening over, and Jacob Koster followed with a powerful four off the first ball he faced. The opening pair made batting look effortless, racing to 16 runs after two overs. The third over proved costly for Burnside, with a combination of wides and a towering six from Koster pushing the score to 28. The chase was completed in the very next over, with two runs sealing a comprehensive victory at 30/0 in 3.1 overs. Ward finished unbeaten on 13 from 12 balls, with Koster equally destructive on 12 from just 7 deliveries.
A complete performance from the All Stars, built on relentless bowling pressure and a confident, no-nonsense chase.
Full scoreboard: https://www.playhq.com/new-zealand-cricket/org/christchurch-metro-cricket-associationcjca/summer-202526/mens-division-5/game-centre/932b70a7
T20 Cavaliers Cardinals – LOST
Match report courtesy of Jamie Livingstone
East Shirley 170-3 (20 overs)
Sydenham 112-6 (20 overs)
After a disrupted start to 2026, the Cardinals arrived at Claire Park greeted by a pitch that resembled an early October one and a boundary as big as Hagley Oval. Unfortunately, James Stokes lost the toss and we were in the field. The innings started well with Brad Moore striking in the first over to take his first wicket of the season. From there, the East batters sent the ball to all parts of the oval, and somehow everything that went in the air managed to drop 5-10m before the fielders. Another day those would go to hand and the Cardinals would have been on top. A steady flow of runs followed until Kris Webster, on debut, took a screamer off Jamie Livingstone. But the momentum was with Easts as they finished on 170 off their 20 overs.
With a strong batting lineup we were confident that they could chase it down, but the Cardinals lost Cam Rennell early. With the pitch starting to play games, Moore and Kieran Williams toiled hard. Mooe finished on 37. Consistent bowling by Easts meant the chase never really got going for the Cardinals finishing with 112-6 off their 20 overs.
That was the last game of the round, now the Cardinals refocus on trying to defend their Section 2 title.
T20 Gujarat Kings – WON
Match report courtesy of Yash Patel
The Buffalos 140-7 (20 overs)
Sydenham 141-5 (16.4 overs)
The Sydenham T20 Gujarat Kings returned after two rain-affected weeks with a strong 3-wicket win over The Buffalos.
Bowling first, the Kings restricted the Buffalos to 140/7. Vice-Captain Yash Patel led the attack with a brilliant 4-wicket haul and was one ball away from a five-for after being on a hat-trick, only denied by a dropped catch. He was well supported by Arya Baxi (2 wickets) and Smit Patel (1 wicket).
In reply, the chase was anchored by a superb captain’s innings from Dhananjay “DJ” Trivedi, who remained 58 off 32 balls*. Dhairya Goswami set the tone at the top with a confident 35 off 20 balls, and a crucial 50+ run partnership between DJ and Milind Thakkar proved decisive.
This victory was a true total team effort, marking a strong comeback and highlighting the depth, resilience, and unity within the Gujarat Kings squad.
Full scoreboard: https://www.playhq.com/new-zealand-cricket/org/christchurch-metro-cricket-associationcjca/summer-202526/cavaliers-section-black-t20/game-centre/a2643429
Masters Cardinals – LOST
Match report courtesy of Bert Walker
Sydenham 157-8 (40 overs)
BWU 158-1 (35 overs)
On a beautiful clear blue sky day, James won the toss and batted first – we had a strong looking top order and the pitch looked flat and true. And it did play well, apart from the odd one keeping low at the tree/water tank end. The Burnside opening attack of Burrows and Van Tongaren were accurate and while Kelvin was quickly playing his shots, Wildy (1) got a good ball from Van Tongaren early on that just flicked the bails off, so 13/1. Phil joined Kelvin and grafted hard for his runs, as after the opening bowlers came off they were replaced by Fish (with his swinging left arm deliveries and clever variations) and Adrian McFeddries (a long time top quality senior all rounder), who both bowled their mediums exceptionally well. So the run rate dried right up, although Kelvin still got the odd powerful and classy shot away.
Kelvin Scott
But at 44 he was yorked by McFeddries for 32 (4 x 4), and soon after Phil (10) drove at a wide one from Fish and skied it to point, where it was well caught, 48/3. This brought in Paul Matthews (PM) to join Paul Rapley (PR), and PM was lucky to survive a great ball from McFeddries early on that shaved the stumps. Then PR hit one to mid on and called for a single, but PM didn’t respond (said he didn’t hear him), and 2/3rds of the way down the pitch PR (3) couldn’t make it back and was run out the over before drinks, which were taken at 59/4. So we were scoring at under 3 an over at this stage, with Kelvin’s 4 x 4s the only boundaries so far – testament to the quality of the Burnside bowling, while also the outfield was quite slow – no doubt after all the recent rain.
Paul Matthews
After drinks our batting was comprised of a series of useful partnerships of PM – as he and Lachie (3) put on 16, then James (12) put on 22 with him followed by Mark (9) putting on another 23 with PM. Next Brenden (6) helped add another 18 with PM, taking us up to 137/8, before Brownie then came in with 10 balls to go. After a couple of nice off drives Brownie had strike at the start of the last over, and after a couple of swings and misses he then worked a good single to get PM on strike, PM was on 45 by this stage. And facing the previously economical medium pacers of Dean Harrison, he then hit 4 (over wide long on), 6 (a big hit over mid wicket) and 6 again (a booming straight drive).
So that was a great way to finish our innings, with PM’s terrific 61* including 5 x 4, as well as the 2 mighty 6s. For Burnside Fish 8 2 18 1 and McFeddries 8 1 18 1 both bowled extremely well through the middle of our innings and were well supported by the dour Burrows with 7 0 29 2 and the always probing and accurate Van Tongaren, a consistently good performer, with 8 0 25 2.
Kelvin and Brownie opened well for us, and the score was just 5 after 4 overs. But then their openers Summers and Harrison started to pick the rate up, although Summers survived a hard chance off Brownie. But after that they both batted very safely and well, and despite Jame’s good bowling changes and a committed effort in the field, they were 69/0 at drinks. Soon after this Dean Harrison smashed a short ball back at PR, who held a stinging 2 handed catch and Harrison was out for a good 42 (6 x 4) at 81/1. But this only brought the powerful McFeddries to the crease and he was soon into his stride, smashing powerful boundaries with regularity to all parts.
While at the other end Summers was playing a perfect sheet anchor role, looking largely untroubled, turning the strike over regularly and hitting the occasional boundary. Lachie was our 8th bowler used, as James rang the changes trying to get a break through, and he started well with 2 very good overs. But in his 3rd over he dropped a head high c&b from McFeddries (that he thought was coming faster than it was), and McFeddries then finished the game in a hurry with a succession of big clean hits. So Burnside finished at 158/1 after 35 overs, with Summers an excellent 61* off 101 balls (4 x 4) and McFeddries a very powerful and impressive 51* off 44 balls (3 x 4, 4 x 6).
Best of our bowlers were Brenden 5 0 13 0, PR 6 1 24 1 and Brownie 6 0 23 0. While Brownie and Wildy both did a great job in the field as boundary sweepers, also there were several other good fielding efforts as well. And it was good to see Anak there, plus as always we were indebted to our splendidly industrious scorer Gail. But in the end it was a very comfortable and well deserved win for the friendly Burnside Robbies team (with ex Sydenham player Stu Rooney in fine and funny bantering form!), in a game played in good spirits – and on a lovely sunny Saturday, at last!
Full scoreboard: https://www.playhq.com/new-zealand-cricket/org/christchurch-metro-cricket-associationcjca/summer-202526/joes-garage-masters/game-centre/3fb86f28
Masters Hospital – LOST
Match report courtesy of Bruce Day
Sydenham 167 (39 overs)
Marist Harewood 168-5 (35.3 overs)
Hospital played Marist Harewood on Hagley 3. Batting first Hospital were in early trouble at 39 for 4 after 12 overs but then recovered to be 84 for 4 at drinks. An excellent innings of 51 by Wrik Mukherjee with good support from Tristan Pettit (29) and John Hampton (33) got Hospital through to 167 for 8 after the 40 overs.
Marist Harewood started their run chase positively, but wickets pulled things back and by drinks they were in a similar position at 78 for 4. However, a fine innings of 75 not out from Sanjay Kapoor took the game away from Hospital and Marist Harewood chased the target down in the 36th over with 5 wickets down. Rahul Mukherjee with 7/2/26/2 had the best bowling figures for Hospital.
Full scoreboard: https://www.playhq.com/new-zealand-cricket/org/christchurch-metro-cricket-associationcjca/summer-202526/joes-garage-masters/game-centre/c1b4218e
Women’s Division 1 Red – WON
Sydenham 134-2 (20 overs)
Pleasant Point 116-5 (20 overs)
Women’s Division 1 Blue – BYE
Bye week for the Blue’s
Youth First XI – LOST
Match report courtesy of Daniel Herd
CBHS 170-9 (55 overs)
Sydenham 95 (51.3 overs)
Day one of this two-day match was a grind after Sydenham Youth 1st XI lost the toss and were sent in on a surface that proved extremely difficult to bat on in the first half of the day.
Sydenham’s first innings was built on time spent in the middle rather than scoreboard pressure, with batters working in pairs to absorb the conditions. Cameron Fairhall (5 off 33) and Finlay Hill (8 off 55) negotiated the new ball, before Liam Beck (15 off 49) and Harry Durdin (8 off 41) dug in further. William Herd (14 off 31) and Noah Green (9 off 32) added further resistance, while Neil Thakar (11 off 48) again showed discipline. Despite those efforts, the surface made run-scoring difficult and Sydenham were unable to accelerate, eventually being dismissed for 95 from 51.3 overs. All the batters will be better off having spent time in the middle.
With the ball, Sydenham produced a strong response to stay in the contest. Jamie Anson (1/37 off 13 overs), Bayley Gardner (18 runs off 5) and Quinn Helms (1/18 off 8) all bowled with control, while Beck was the standout, finishing with 4/25 and repeatedly breaking partnerships. Kahn Stanbury (2/36) provided important support through the middle overs. The fielding effort matched the intensity, highlighted by a sharp run-out and several well-held catches.
At stumps, CBHS closed on 170-9 after 55 overs, holding a lead but with the match still very much alive. Heading into day two, Sydenham will need a clear plan on how to play the game situation – whether that means pushing for a result or locking in a draw – on a pitch that will continue to demand patience and discipline.
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