UTS North Sydney Fourth Grade 2025-26 season wrap

UTS North Sydney District Cricket Club | April 25, 2026

Fourth Grade was the most successful of the UTS North Sydney men’s grades in the 2025-26 season, finishing fifth and playing finals cricket. Shiv Vohra, reflects on a successful first year as full-time skipper – a season of great personal success too, with Shiv finishing the regular season as the competition’s top wicket-taker with 30 poles and taking out the Bears’ Fourth Grade Player of the Year award.

Firstly, I’d like to extend a huge thanks to the Committee, selectors and coaching staff, (Simon Keen, Warren Evans, Ash Perrott, and Craig Tomko) for the opportunity to captain 4s this year.

We set a goal at the start of the year which was to play finals cricket, which we achieved. Unfortunately, we were beaten in the Qualifying Final by a sound Easts outfit, but everyone who was around the group in 4s this year contributed to this achievement and I’m sure this playing group gained valuable experience and can build on it to go at least one better next season.

Daivik Sahni and Henry Lester leave the field after a last wicket stand of 78 in the Qualifying Final

There are two games I’d like to mention that I believe defined our season.

In Round 13 vs Penrith, we were welcomed to a 40 degree day and a flat wicket which I duly chose to bat first on. At 2/130, we were in a great position, however we lost a few quick poles and suffered a batting collapse being all out for around 180. The last hour of day 1 gave us 17 overs at Penrith and an opportunity to take a few wickets and wrestle our way back into the game, but this also didn’t go to plan and Penrith ended up 0-40. The start of day 2 went very similarly with Penrith being 1/100, but we fought our way back into the game and kept pressure and energy high on a very hot day (including a heat index caused delay in play). Penrith eventually got the runs 9 down, but the fight and character the lads showed was testament to the quality side we had, we walked off the ground that game proud and knowing we’d fought to the end even though we lost. Penrith were deserving winners; however, to wrestle the game back and eventually have them scamper over the line filled me with a lot of confidence.

The equation heading into Round 15 vs Gordon was simple: win outright to have any chance of finals qualification, if we failed to do so it was likely season over. Lachlan Spencer decided he really wanted to play finals as he tore through the Gordon top order and took a brilliant 6-fa to have them all out in 28 overs. It wasn’t all smooth sailing as the second innings provided some twists and turns as Gordon fought back, but Evander Herbert provided a clinic on spin bowling as he dominated and took a memorable 7-fa to bowl Gordon out second time around. After a bit of confusion as to how many overs were left, we got a nervy chase across the line thanks to rapid cameos from Naman Batish, Eesa Omar and a special celebrity appearance by one of the all-time Bears, Jacob Graham, who used all his experience to ice the finish.

There were massive contributions from everyone who was in and around the squad this season, however I’d like to shout out a few guys,

Naman Batish really matured this season, he played almost every game and got us off to some blistering starts playing the fearless aggressive style he’s become known for. He also stepped up and was a leader in the field and took some brilliant catches at short leg. I for one am very excited to see where his cricket goes in the next couple of years - the sky’s the limit for this talented youngster.

Naman Batish in action in the Qualifying Final vs Easts

Lachlan Spencer was another big part of our finals push, and when he’s on song he can rip the heart out of any bowling lineup. It was great to see the big quick show some flashes of brilliance and I’m sure next season will be massive

Spin was a big part of our side this season, and I’d like to mention the twin left arm orthos, for the first part of the season. Robin Atwal was a consistent performer and took many key wickets, but the biggest thing that stood out for him was his energy and attitude in the field. He was loud and his constant encouragement gave everyone a lift, not to mention he’s a gun in the field, affecting direct hit run-outs and taking screamers. He also played some very handy cameos with the bat, I’m not sure he knows it but he’s got a lot of ability and his batting is one to watch! Evander Herbert came down to 4s for the latter part of the season and showed his class, I’m sure everyone’s heard about his back-to-back match winning performances taking 7-fa vs Gordon and 6-fa against his old club, Sydney University. He showed guile and beat genuine batsmen and got them out with his shape, drop and turn. The future is bright for this talented bowler.

Evander Herbert took 15 wickets in his four matches in Fourth Grade

I’d also like to thank guys like Max Palmer who mustn’t have enjoyed playing with me very much, as whenever he got brought into the side he’d score a 50 and go straight back up.

Henry Lester or ‘Mo’ as he’s affectionately known was a genuine leader and contributed with both bat and ball, I can’t wait to see him in action in the European Cricket League as he’s off to Germany for six months.

The Lloyd brothers (cousins??), were once again very valuable whenever they played, offering all their years of experience and playing some key knocks. These two are ever present and part of the fabric of the club and always lend an ear and help out wherever they can. Two absolute doyens and legends of the club!

Some of my personal highlights were:

·       Michael Lloyd showing up to a game 3 mins before the first ball in a vehicle that was older than him and could not possibly have been roadworthy;

·       Naman Batish providing lots of entertainment as he took 14 off the first over vs Mosman only to be given out LBW after middling one, and politely questioning whether the umpire was of sound hearing ability;

·       A very rare Liam Weerakoon blow-up; and

·       A couple of celebrity appearances from some of the great Bears, namely Izaak Merlehan and Jacob Graham.

I’d once again like to thank everyone for their contributions and we’re raring to go to try and accomplish our goal to win the Club Championship and bring a premiership home to North Sydney,

Beware the Bear!