Congratulations to Randwick Petersham First Grade who have been crowned the Belvidere Cup winners for 2019-20. At the conclusion of the NSW Premier Cricket 2019-20 season, Randwick Petersham headed the Belvidere Cup 1st Grade points table with 77 points–11 ahead of next best Sydney University on 66 with Bankstown in third place on 61. That gave Randwick Petersham the minor premiership in the competition for the first time. Under the leadership of Co-Captains Jason Sangha and Daya Singh the team lost only one match during the rounds. This was an amazing turnaround in performances as the team finished 18th in 2018-19 and as a Club the Randy Petes lifted 8 positions in the Club Championship to finish 7th.
Lefand Group is a proud sponsor of Randwick Petersham Cricket Club
The Finals Series comprising qualifying finals, semi-finals and a Grand Final was scheduled to be played between 21 March and 5 April. The winner of the Grand Final or the team with the higher position on the points table in the event of a draw, would be declared Premiers for 2019-20. Because of the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and the action taken by the Australian Government to address its effect on the population, Cricket Australia issued a recommendation that club and community cricket close down amid the health concerns. Cricket NSW adopted that advice bringing to an end NSW Premier Cricket for the season. The Association also declared that the minor premiers of each grade would be declared Premiers for 2019-20. Randwick Petersham was accordingly named 1st Grade Premiers for 2019-20.
This was the first time in its 19 seasons Randwick Petersham were 1st Grade Premiers. The team had participated in three previous Belvidere Cup Grand Finals going down to Eastern Suburbs in 2003-04 and to Sydney University in 2010-11 and 2011-12. While the side were Premiers in the Limited Overs competition in 2011-12 and had won the Twenty20 competition three times between 2011 and 2016, the Belvidere Cup until this season, had eluded them.
Winning the NSW Premier Cricket 1st Grade Cricket Premiership is the pinnacle of achievement in cricket competitions at the level which feeds into NSW state and Australian international cricket teams. Most grade clubs have representative players in their ranks and we at Randwick Petersham were fortunate to have as part of our team, international David Warner, Daniel Sams and Jason Sangha – both from the NSW team and Sydney Thunder – and Kent English County representative Daniel Bell Drummond.
This of course is only part of the story, as playing alongside them we also had a group of highly skilled hard working players who all made outstanding contributions to the success of the team throughout the season. Many of these players have played in NSW 2nd X1, NSW Under 19 and NSW Under 17 teams. None more so than veterans Adam Semple and Anthony Sams whose experience and skill as cricketers was central to the teams success and the last two remaining players from our last Grand Final appearances. Our youngest player is 17 year old Caelan Maladay.
Suttons City Motors is a proud sponsor of Randwick Petersham Cricket Club
As one of the standout sides this season it is fitting to cap off 2019-20 with this silverware. But titles like these are hard to win and it requires a large group of people behind the scenes: administrators, volunteers, coaches, scorers and game day helpers to create a winning environment. These people have been a part of a truly extended team and club effort to assist the players in every possible way. Credit must be paid foremost to Director of Cricket Operations Bill Anderson who has been at the helm since our first season as a merged club. His dedication to First Grade is unrivalled and the fruits of his labour are clear for all to see. Congratulations are also extended to Head Coach Greg Small on his second First Grade title with the Randy Petes and to the selectors Alan Wright and Peter Devlin. Credit must also be paid to Veena Naidu the team scorer. Their dedication and commitment are also unrivalled. In addition, the contribution of our wonderful ladies in the canteen each match day, our honorary photographer Peter Bannigan, our CEO John Stewart and Management Committee should also not be underestimated. We are fortunate to have these people and many others behind the scenes, prepared to give up their time for the benefit and welfare of Randwick Petersham Cricket. We are truly indebted to them all. A great thanks to the entire supporter base of Randwick Petersham members who came down and cheered on 1st grade at as many match days as they could – having such dedicated support no doubt spurred the team on.
Proud 19 year old Captain Jason Sangha was elated with the win stating “It’s been a terrific season for the Randy Petes. Although this may not have been the ideal way to win the Belvidere Cup, I’m immensely proud of all players and support staff for what was a dominating season, finishing 11 points clear of second place. I want to thank all the players, support staff, game day staff, volunteers, supporters and sponsors for their unwavering support in 2019-20.”
O’Neills Sportswear is a proud sponsor of Randwick Petersham Cricket Club
The President Mike Whitney was beaming in his praise for First Grade’s win “It has been a long wait for this title but it is certainly a wait worthwhile. To finish Minor Premiers after 18th last season is testament to the hard work and skill of our 1st Grade team who were formidable all season. I am a proud President heading into our 20th season as defending Belvidere Cup Premiers!!”
The Randwick, Petersham and surrounding communities should be rightfully proud of the achievements of the Randwick Petersham Cricket Club and its 1st grade team in 2019-20.
Randwick Petersham thank our wonderful sponsors for supporting our Club in achieving great successes this season in particular Platinum Sponsor Lefand Group as well as Petersham RSL, Suttons City, O’Neills Sportswear Australia, Cartwright Insurance Brokers, Mellick Wealth Management, Sydney Airport, Bistro Rex, The Co-Australia, Adina Hotel Apartment Coogee, Clovelly Community Bank Branch Bendigo Bank, Titan Fitness, Palm Pilates, Mr Taxman, SOS Hydration Australia, Indian Paradise, Garrard & Flack, Elastoplast, Century 21 Eastern Beaches, Courtyard Cafe, Bamboozld, Out There Branding, Coogee Beach Club, QS1, The Investment Collective, Brown Wright Stein Lawyers and CEM. We are also appreciative to Randwick City Council and Inner West Council for their support as well as to Green Options in maintaining our grounds in an expert manner. A special thanks to Cricket Ireland as well for their unending support and friendship.
Randwick Petersham also congratulate the Premiers in Limited Overs, Kingsgrove Sports T20, Grades 2 to 5, Poidevin-Gray and AW Green Shield, Metropolitan Cup as well as Bankstown DCC as deserved Club Champions.
Trust. Respect. Humility.
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