Flashback - North Sydney win the 2010/11 Second Grade Premiership
UTS North Sydney District Cricket Club | March 22, 2026
In 2010/11, the North Sydney Bears won the Second Grade Premiership with a famous reverse-outright Grand Final win over local rivals, Gordon. Conceding a 70-run deficit on first innings, we made 8d/264 in the second dig and bowled the Stags out for 108, to win by a crushing 86 runs. Topping off his final season in 2s before being called up to First Grade, James Campbell took 9/66 for the match.
Below we share the scorecard and then the report from the 2011 Annual Report by captain, Matt Burton.
North Sydney First Innings
Gordon First Innings
North Sydney Second Innings
Gordon Second Innings
Matt Burton's report from the Annual Report
Looking back on this season it is hard not to be so proud of what we achieved. After the 2009/10 season, I was hoping we could crack the top 6 in 2010/11 and be involved in finals cricket. What we achieved was a whole lot more than that. We had only one loss for the entire season (a 20/20 game), we were Minor Premiers comfortably and to top it all off we became the Premiers with a fantastic come from behind before in the final. Not only was in good to see Second Grade performing but also to see Norths back competing at the top in the Club Championship. When I first joined the Bears over 10 years ago, we were a club that was consistently challenging near the top throughout the grades and also the club championship. The aim now would be to maintain our results and return to being seen as a major player again.
One thing we have been working on over the past two seasons is to bring back that winning culture to North Sydney. Hopefully we have gone a long way to achieving this with the past season as we have now won a number of games from positions where previously we would have rolled over and taken the loss. And all this comes about by individuals standing up when an opportunity is there to be taken rather than shying away from the challenge.
In order to have the success we have had this season there are obviously a number of players who have had fantastic season but I feel the key to our success was that there was always someone willing to stand up every weekend and it was not the same people every game.
Second Grade this season used over 25 players and I would like to thank all of them for their contributions to the successful season. I would also like to thank a few people have had made this season run smoothly.
Phil Marks - The club needed someone with Phil's background. Phil Someone the senior players especially could respect. Phil has a great mix of higher level playing experience, training disciplines and game preparation and was a great support for me to bounce ideas off.
Robyn Wilson - Having a team scorer makes my job so much easier. Even though Robyn was only able to help out at home games due to her First Grade commitments, the guys still appreciate when Robyn is able to assist. Also mentions to Sumeet Bagga & Tony Johnson who helped out on a number of occasions.
Families - We had great support this season from the players' families. To the Miller's, Lawrence's, Campbell's, Afflecks, Baggas, Hylands, Rodgies, Reids and Domingos thanks for coming to support not only your guys but also the whole team.
As I try to do each year, I would like to give a quick overview of my thought of the players who have played a large number of games for Second Grade this season.
William Affleck -397 runs & 7 wickets. Will was the rock that held our batting together on so many occasions throughout the season. Started the season well with a century against Manly and played a number of games in 1s where he finished the season. Consistency with batting is a great attribute and Will has it. Will bats long periods of time consistently which is a rare quality nowadays. A full season in First Grade is due for Will after two strong seasons in 2s.
Ardil Domingo - 337 runs & 31 dismissals. Ardil joined us early in the season after an early season struggle with the bat. Ardil worked his work back into form and was flying by the time the finals came around. His innings against Sydney Uni in the semi and Gordon in the final were outstanding. Ardil's glovework seems to be improving all the time. A wicketkeeper is a key part of your team and we were lucky to have Ardil for such a large part of the season.
Scott Rodgie - 287 runs & 42 wickets. Scott was another who started the season in First Grade. He came to 2s in search of runs, but we got so much more. Scott led the wicket takers with 42 for the season @ 14. What started as giving Scott an opportunity turned into Scott taking that opportunity with both hands. While his batting did not hit the heights he had hoped, he did finish the season off with a bang with his innings in the final. Scott will be pushing for a spot back in First Grade but with thoughts of offering more than just his batting now.
Luke Hyland - 350 runs. Luke may not have had his strongest season but he was a great contributor to our success. Luke had many starts without really going on to produce the big scores. He always looks so comfortable at the crease but managed to find ways to get out this season. Shot selection is the key for Luke as when he gets going, he can dominate attacks. He is another who played a great innings in the final - his second innings contribution went a long way to setting up a total for our bowlers to bowl at. Luke also offered us some security at first slip. It is a key position in the field and Luke held pretty much all that came his way.
James Campbell - 39 wickets @ 13. Every successful team needs one and we had probably the best one in Second Grade. If you have a good strike bowler, you generally go places. James started the season in Third Grade and was banging the door down for 2s and was given his opportunity. He took it with five wickets on debut and then went about causing chaos to opposing batting line ups. James was asked to do a lot of work late in the season and stood up to the challenge. Next step is First Grade where he just needs to keep that great mix of aggression and the keenness to win.
Glen Sullivan - 19 wickets. With all the young players we had this season, it was great to also have a little experience out on the field. Glen is ideal for all tough situation on the field. Glen's performance in the first innings in the final brought us back into the game and he also batted no.3 in a game when we chased down over 300.
Arjun Bagga - 23 wickets @ 14. Arjun had some real highlights this season, in particular his spell on day 2 at Bankstown as well as his spell in the 2nd innings of the final. His ability to move the ball continues to reap rewards. The only thing I would say that Arjun needs to work on with his bowling is his consistency, When Arjun is on, he is nearly unplayable, but he needs to find that more often. Arjun also offers so much with his batting. He did not get the results this season but he definitely has the technique and the ability to post big scores.
Sebastian Reid - 206 runs. Seb joined us mid-season and after a slow start started to show why he has scored well in First Grade. Seb's innings in the semi against Sydney Uni was one of the most determined innings I have seen in my time in grade cricket. Seb scored 76 not out but it was his determination of batting for over five hours to guide our team into the final that will remain with me for a long time. Some of the boys are still feeling a little let down that Seb won't hug them but we still like him.
Liam Lannen. Liam played most of the season but due to the strength of our fast bowling he was rarely given the opportunity to contribute with the ball. Liam did still put together some good spells of bowling including his 3 for 32 against Sydney Uni. Liam has the ability to offer more with the bat as well as he has performed well at nightwatchman.
Evan Miller - 256 runs. The 'Situation' started mid-season but made an instant impact. Evan's ability to turn the game around in a matter of overs was vital to us in the second half of the season. When games were in the balance, Evan could quickly put the pressure back on the opposition. He just didn't manage to make a big score but did manage to provide a highlight in the slips. Still got a headache from the sitter that hit you in the forehead?? I believe he has retired again? I guess we will just have to wait and see.
Nathan Glynn. Nathan started the season off well with a century against Gordon before spending a large part of the season in First Grade. Nathan joined us again late in the season leading into the finals. He probably did not have the success he was looking for after such a strong start to the season. Nathan missed out on playing in the final and that was a tough call for the selectors to make as you never like to have to drop someone for such a game. Nathan still turned up every day of the final to support the guys and I know that this was greatly appreciated by all.
Josh Lawrence - 243 runs. Josh also started mid-season (yeah, no co-incidence it was at the same time as Miller) and what a start. 90 off about 45 balls with a number of towering 6s against Sydney Uni. Josh, like Evan, could turn the game in a number of overs. He is a strong hitter of the ball and just loved playing against Sydney Uni. His contribution with Seb in the semi-final was outstanding. Supporting Seb, he took the game away from Sydney Uni and got us through to the final. He may retire also, but only if Miller does.
Daniel Hughes. It was a slow start to the season and then it just took off for Daniel. He owned the back page of the North Shore Times. An unbeaten 109 against East was his last innings in 2s before he went into 1s and performed so well. He is a devastating opening batsmen who we hope will continue his form into next season.
There were a number of other players who contributed to our great season and would also like to thank them. They are Vince O'Donnell, Joe Leighton, James Aitken, James Goodman, Michael Lloyd, James Shannon, Paul Dixey, Adam Wayling, Michael Birch, David Guthrie, Jay Lenton and Patrick Lindsay.
Congratulations to all involved for such a successful season and one of my most enjoyable and it will be a season that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Annual Report Editor’s Addition:
Matt Burton - 440 runs & 27 wickets. What a wonderful achievement for Matt to take on the task of developing our younger players. After many years of First Grade including a stint as the Bears skipper, Matt led the 2nds to a Premiership win. Always a competitor, who could forget his memorable innings against Sutherland where he led a rearguard action after the Bears had stumbled to 7-91 chasing 304. He finished with 133* (his maiden grade century) to lead his team to a magnificent victory. His experience is absolutely vital in ensuring the Bears continue to reap rewards for our development structure.
Join the Captains Circle - Scenario 2 - When Silence Becomes a Decision
