Heading into Round 13, the final round of the regular Newcastle District Cricket Association season, the Seagulls remained in contention for the semi finals in all four grades with second grade having already secured the premiership for the second season in a row. In addition, a rare Club Championship win was still a possibility with only 3 point separating the Seagulls and Merewether.
An entertaining and dramatic round of cricket across all grades ensued!
In First Grade at University's Bernie Curran Oval the Stockton & Northern Districts First Grade team climbed to 3rd on the ladder and claimed a semi-final spot with an amazing back from the dead win the showed grit, resilience and patience. Resuming day two at 5 for 72 on a damp Bernie Curran Oval pitch chasing University's 161, the Seagulls quickly fell to 7 for 81. The partnership of 54 runs between Sam Jenkinson and Daniel Foster which took place over 3 hours and across 45 overs was nothing short of amazing. Jenkinson departed for a patient and hard working 44 from 149 delivers with 27 still required for victory. Foster, and Andrew Nicolai then put on a quick fire 79 to not only pass the total but quickly skip well infront. Foster finished 27 from 175 and Nicolai a belligerent 62 not out from 35 balls. Stockton and Northern Districts declared at 9 for 214. University played out the remaining 26 overs and finished 5 for 79.
At Lynn Oval, the Seagulls Second Grade outfit put in a completely dominant display to defeat University outright and extend their lead at the top of the table. The Seagulls who had already secured first innings points declared on 5 for 268 after Laurence Kelly smashed an unbeaten 108 from 91 deliveries. University then crumbled to be all out for 35 in their second innings as Tyson Beatty took his second 5 wicket haul for the match with 5 for 6 to complete a resounding victory.
Third Grade's season hinged on obtaining an outright win and have another result fall the right way. With first innings points already in the bank Third Grade piled on an imposing 9 for 169 dec which set University an improbable 182 from the remaining 35 for victory. A fine team bowling and fielding display which was capped on by Renaldo Caponecchia's 5 for 30 sealed the outright victory on the second last ball of the day.
In Fourth Grade as Corroba Oval, University took first innings point on day one and the game petered out on day two with an outright result out of the equation.
