Campbelltown Camden Ghosts fell just a few runs short in the 2018-19 NSW Premier Cricket season opener against University of NSW Cricket Club at Raby Sports Complex.
The Ghosts batted first in the limited overs fixture and only managed 118 runs when they were all dismissed in the 40th over.
The home side made things hard for the visitors when it was their turn to bat.
University of NSW were in trouble at various stages, including being down seven wickets, but somehow managed to reach the total required for victory with three overs o spare.
In perfect weather conditions, Campbelltown Camden captain Jarrad Burke had elected to bat first on a slow-paced Raby wicket.
On the back of some patient batting from Mitch Carruthers, who occupied the crease for 90 minutes to compile 23 runs, the Ghosts bats worked their way to a total of 118.
Jake Cormack (25 runs) and skipper Burke (24 runs) were the only substantial contributions to the scoreboard.
Jordan Brown looked comfortable playing some nice shots behind square before he was brilliantly run out by a direct hit from side on to the stumps.
Backing themselves as always, the Ghosts bowlers were not going to allow the students an easy afternoon’s chase.
Burke set aggressive fields and with little early success from his quicks the skipper found success himself bowling from the eastern end.
Burke took apart the University top order finishing with 4 for 11 off ten overs.
As the students edged their way towards the Ghosts total, Iain Carlisle (2/17) and Luke Webb (1/20) capitalised on their skipper’s work and the possibility of a home team win became a prospect.
However, it was not to be as the visitors chased down the Ghosts total in the forty eighth over.
Next week the Ghosts take on Parramatta with second and fourth grade playing at home.
RESULTS
Second Grade: UNSW 201 def by Campbelltown-Camden 2/206, Adam Ison 68, Charlie Dummer 68, Matt Hudson 60*.
Third Grade: Campbelltown-Camden 4/132 def UNSW 131, Jackson Isakka 5/29, Jaimie Warwick 35, Quinn Passlow 32.
Fourth Grade: UNSW 3/157 def Campbelltown-Camden 9/153 (cc), Lahiru Jayawardena 41, Tom Patterson 29.
Fifth Grade: Campbelltown-Camden 8/139 (cc) def by UNSW 3/306(cc).
