UTS North Sydney Women's Second Grade 2025/26 season wrap

UTS North Sydney District Cricket Club | June 21, 2026

The 2025/26 season marked another memorable chapter for the UTS North Sydney Bears Women's Second Grade side. After claiming premierships in our first two seasons, the challenge this year was to continue building on the strong culture and standards that have become synonymous with Bears women's cricket. Captain, Kayla Robson, reports on the year that was.

Throughout the season, our group once again demonstrated the qualities that make this team special – resilience, friendship, competitiveness and an unwavering commitment to each other. A mixture of experienced players and emerging talent ensured that every week brought new opportunities and memorable performances.

Despite a tough opening to the season, the side remained united and continued to improve as combinations developed. The breakthrough finally came in Round 4 with the Bears recording their first win of the season against St George-Sutherland in dramatic fashion. Chasing victory, the skipper led from the front with a composed 51, before two of the "mothers of the group", Bernadette Robson (46*) and Anu Raj (16*), guided the side home in the final over to secure a memorable victory.

What made the day even more special was the incredible family connections on display, with four family combinations sharing the occasion. Bernadette (mum) and Kayla (daughter), Anu (mum) and Varada (daughter), coach Robbie and daughter Abbey, and manager Kristin alongside daughter Lily, all contributed to a day that perfectly reflected the close-knit culture that makes Bears cricket so unique.

One of the highlights of the campaign came with an emphatic 66-run victory over Northern District, where the team posted 147 before restricting the opposition to just 81. Another standout performance came later in the season when the Bears chased down 130 against Sydney University, securing a hard-fought five-wicket victory in one of the team's best all-round displays. The side also finished strongly with a four-wicket win over Campbelltown-Camden, highlighting the determination and fighting spirit that remained throughout the year.

Across the season there were countless moments that reflected the character of the group. Tight finishes, rain interruptions, shared celebrations and the occasional post-match debrief all contributed to another enjoyable year. Whether it was defending small totals, building partnerships under pressure or producing crucial breakthroughs with the ball, players continually stepped up when called upon.

Anna Buckle

Individually, there were many excellent performances throughout the campaign. Anna Buckle enjoyed an outstanding season with the ball, finishing with 22 wickets at an average of 17.87 and best figures of 3/16. While the scorebook officially records 22 wickets, Anna may well have finished with 50 had every chance behind the stumps and in the field stuck! Nevertheless, her consistency and ability to strike at key moments made her one of the side's most reliable performers.

Varada Vinay also enjoyed an exceptional all-round season. With the ball, she claimed 18 wickets at an impressive average of 18.17, with best figures of 3/23, while contributing valuable runs lower down the order with a strike rate of 41.96. Her development and impact across both disciplines were highlights of the season. Abbey Aitken continued to provide control and consistency with the ball, taking 19 wickets at an average of 19.74 and regularly delivering important breakthroughs for the team.

Varada Vinay

With the bat, Kayla Robson led the way, topping the run-scoring charts with 291 runs for the season. Close behind was Bernadette Robson with 263 runs, with both players producing several important innings and partnerships that underpinned many of the side's strongest performances.

However, this team has always been about much more than individual statistics. The willingness of players to support one another, embrace different roles and celebrate each other's successes was a defining feature of the season. New faces were welcomed seamlessly into the group, while experienced players continued to provide leadership and guidance.

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On behalf of the playing group, I would like to sincerely thank our coaches, support staff, scorers, volunteers and the wider Bears community. Their dedication and countless hours behind the scenes ensure that we are able to enjoy the game we love and represent the club with pride. A special thank you must also go to our families, friends and supporters who braved early starts, long days and all-weather conditions to cheer us on throughout the season.

While this year did not result in a third consecutive premiership, the spirit and character shown by this group reinforced why the Bears are such a special club. The foundations remain strong, the future is bright, and there is no doubt that this team will continue to create lasting memories and achieve success in the seasons ahead.

Once a Bear, always a Bear.

Go Bears!

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