The Manly vs Sydney University Rivalry of the 2000s
Manly Warringah District Cricket Club | September 04, 2025
One of the most entertaining aspects of playing for Manly during the 2000s was the fierce and often fiery rivalry with Sydney University. This competitive relationship was marked by high-stakes encounters, strategic recruiting moves, and a fair share of drama - both on and off the field.
The first real flashpoint came ahead of the 2003/04 season when Manly’s prolific opening batsman, Matt Phelps, was recruited by Sydney Uni. His move helped form a formidable top order alongside Greg Mail, Ed Cowan, and Ian Moran, setting the stage for several intense battles in the years to follow.
In 2004/05, the rivalry reached new heights during an epic First Grade quarter-final at University Oval No. 1. In a classic, low-scoring finals contest, Manly narrowly lost on the first innings but nearly snatched an outright win, thanks to captain Shawn Bradstreet’s outstanding match figures of 11/62. However, the match is perhaps best remembered for the off-field antics of a former Test player in the Uni side, whose efforts to unsettle the Manly players – and Bradstreet in particular – became legendary.
That same season, Manly’s Third Grade team clashed with Sydney Uni in the semi-final, as they continued their march toward a drought-breaking premiership. After dismissing Uni for just 93, Manly batted for the next day and a half, piling on 350 and gaining invaluable time at the crease ahead of the Grand Final. One can only imagine how well that sat with their opponents.
The player movement between clubs added further fuel to the rivalry. At season’s end, talented Manly youngster Mark Faraday made the switch to Sydney Uni after captaining the Manly Poidevin-Gray team to a grand final appearance. Future Test paceman Stuart Clark, who played a single season at Manly in 2004/05 around his first-class duties, also moved to Uni soon after.
The 2005/06 season marked the rivalry’s peak, highlighted by one of the most memorable days at Manly Oval in living memory. In the lead-up to a Sunday Limited-Overs clash, a post appeared on Sydney Uni’s website referring to Manly players as “fin dicks” and “wax heads” - a provocation that lit the fuse for what followed.
Upon arrival at the ground, Uni players were greeted by cheeky signage from the Manly faithful. A mock team list featured fictional names like M.B.A. Paidfor and J. Cash, while the famous Manly Oval hill was in full voice throughout the day with plenty of good-natured banter thrown the way of the Sydney Uni players.
The match itself was a low-scoring thriller. Manly recovered from a precarious position thanks to crucial lower-order contributions from Shane Cleary (40*) and Mark Cameron (39), setting a total of 211. In reply, Sydney Uni were bowled out for 167, with Matt Todd and Cameron sharing the wickets. Manly would go on to win the First Grade Limited-Overs Premiership that season.
Adding another twist to the story, Sydney Uni recruited another Manly player at the end of that season - NSW quick Mark Cameron - further intensifying the rivalry.
While things cooled slightly in the years that followed, the quality of cricket remained high. In 2006/07, Manly posted a stunning 6/428 against a first-class quality Uni attack, with club legends Cruickshank and Merchant scoring 175 and 125 respectively. In response, Ed Cowan showcased his class with a sublime 250, leading Uni to a remarkable win with just three wickets to spare.
Another standout contest came in the 2010/11 Limited-Overs Grand Final at Manly Oval. Sydney Uni stumbled early, but a strong sixth-wicket partnership between Nick Larkin and Scott Henry rescued their innings. The match’s most controversial moment came when Henry kicked the ball away while attempting a single and was given out for obstructing the field. In a true display of sportsmanship, Manly allowed Henry to resume his innings. Too his credit, he apologised to the team during the break. Manly fought hard in the chase, with half-centuries from skipper Adam Crosthwaite and Nat Hill, but ultimately fell just short.
Two proud clubs, going toe-to-toe. Brilliant cricketers on display. Fierce competition on the field and lively banter off it. It was a golden era—and a great time to be involved.
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