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The 2022/23 CMCA 2-Day Championship was won by the BWCUCC Premiers for the first time since 1991/92. It was an emphatic campaign with 4 wins, 1 loss and 2 rain impacted draws. The team used 22 players in the campaign. With Tom Latham playing his first game from the club since 2014 a highlight, and the debuts of Nick Gibb, Tim Seeto, Richard Sillars, Ben Ward, Henry Christie & Rohan Thompson other notable moments.

Round 1 v East Christchurch Shirley:

Round 1 started in brisk conditions at Burnside Park against East Christchurch Shirley. New Zealand’s 30^th Test Cricket Captain Tom Latham was included in the XI for Day 1. BWC won the toss and bowled ECSCC out for 38, Alex Tait & Hay claiming 4 wickets each. In response, BWC made 217/9DEC with MW Hay top scoring with 47, Latham 31 and MJ Hay 30 leading the way. ECSCC fought hard in their 2^nd Innings making 254 off 115 overs, leaving 76 runs to win in 20 overs. This was chased in 12 overs for the loss of 2 wickets. A large 8 wicket win to start the summer. Ben Ward debuted in this game.

Round 2 v Riccarton:

Round 2 saw BWC hosted by Riccarton at the other end of Avonhead Road. Riccarton won the toss and posted 200 in their First Innings. Richard Sillars on debut took a wicket, while Matt Hay took 4 and Jackson Latham 3. In response BWC batted aggressively, scoring 371 all out in 51 overs. 60 off 24 balls for Carl Huyser, while Janet made 65, MW Hay 51, Thomas Zohrab 49 and MJ Hay 48. Riccarton recovered from 150/8 to make 252, setting BWC 84 to win. Alex Tait led the way taking 5/64. BWC chased this score 3 wickets down with Callum Hill’s 49* top scoring. Another 7-wicket bonus point win.

Round 3 v Heathcote:

Round 3 took the side on the road to the Heathcote Valley.  Losing the toss in bowler friendly conditions, BWCUCC fought well to 233 all out, Captain Hay top scoring with 84, and supported well with Carl Huyser’s 42. Jackson Latham dominated with the ball bowling taking 5 wickets in restricting Heathcote to 169. Day 2 started with BWC well in front, but were bowled out for a meek 135, only Richard Sillars 39 offering any resistance. Heathcote required 204 to win and did this for the loss of only 5 wickets. A disappointing loss after a strong day 1.

Round 4 v Saint Albans:

Round 4 saw BWC host St Albans, in blustery conditions, which would be the last round before the white ball competitions began. BWC lost the toss and were inserted. Callum Hill at first drop anchored the innings with a classy 98. David Zohrab accelerated the back end of the innings with a skillful 59 enabling BWC to declare on 245. St Albans got off to a solid start being 50-1, with Hay & both Zohrab’s working hard into the breeze enabling Latham to attack. His 2^nd spell down breeze ripped the St Albans middle to lower to pieces, with his 5 wickets taking them from 99-3 to 107-9 at stumps. Unfortunately, rain washed out Day 2 and no result was possible.

Round 5 v Old Boys Collegians:

Round 5 was the resumption of the competition at the conclusion of the white ball campaigns. Away at OBC, Hay lost the toss and BWCUCC was inserted in bowler friendly conditions and were reduced to 3/3 before a 90 run partnership between Ward (74) and Janett (47) took control of the innings. A brisk 38 from Huyser and a lower order collapse saw BWC bowled out for 189. In response BWC’s bowlers got stuck in and bowled OBC out for just 67 in 29 overs. Alex Tait 5/23 and Hay 3/15 the pick. Captain Hay enforced the follow on with 18 overs still left on day 1 and had OBC reduced to 32/5 at stumps. Rain washed out Day 2 and unfortunately no result was possible and BWC couldn’t capitalize on their strong position and take a strong lead on the ladder.

Round 6 v Sydenham:

Round 6 was a trip across town to Sydenham Park. On a very dry and used wicket, Hay lost another toss and BWC were inserted. Ward and both Thomas (43) & David Zohrab (19) absorbed early pressure and laid a good platform on a difficult wicket. The wicket was taking a lot of turn and this steady start enable Hay (32) and Janet (23) the ability to counterattack before an outstanding 67 off 42 on a turning wicket from Alex Tait got the total to 225. Like many times throughout the campaign the BWC bowlers turned the screws on Sydenham knocking them over for 70 and enforcing the follow on. Ethan O’Donoghue recorded his best Premier figures of 4/10, while Hay also took 4 in a spin domination. David Zohrab & Hay both picked up a wicket before stumps having Sydenham well under the pump going into Day 2. Sydenham fought hard in their 2^nd innings, with it taking 86 overs for BWC to take the 10 wickets. Hay was the dominant force in favorable conditions taking career best 8/72 and match figures of 12/109. BWC chased the 55 required for the loss of 1 wicket and took a huge win and the competition lead going into the final round.

Round 7 V Lancaster Park:

The Seventh and final round was hosted at Burnside Park against Lancaster Park. A soft damp wicket greeted the sides, in which Hay lost another toss and was inserted. BWC were knocked over for a meek 99, a disappointing effort with all to play for in the competition. In response LP started positively and raced to 50/2 before debutant Rohan Thompson picked up 2 wickets in one over. Still, at the Tea break, LP were 80/5 trailing by only 18. A remarkable spell in tandem from Latham & Hay after the break bowled LP out for 95 and took 2 critical First Innings Points. Thomas Zohrab made a watchful 36, but BWC only made it through to 64/4 at stumps with the game majorly in the balance. Day 2 started poorly for the hosts losing Janett, Huyser, Latham and Gibb early and the lead only in the 80’s. A mammoth partnership from Alex Tait (45) & Tim Seeto (35*) for the 9^th wicket took the total to 166, leaving LP 170 to win in 56 overs. LP got off to another strong start racing to 40/0 before Latham took 2 in 2 balls. Rohan Thompson then bowled a great spell, picking up 4 wickets threatening the stumps and getting the rewards. Adding to the tension was the score updates from Heathcote, where St Albans had secured victory meaning BWC needed an outright win to lift the trophy. LP were struggling at 101/7 but some rear-guard action took the visitors to 140/8 needing 30 with 10 overs left in the day. The skipper bought himself back on and on his 2^nd ball took the 9^th wicket. With 4.3 overs left in the day Latham picked up his 4^th wicket, knocking over Lancaster Park’s number 11 and securing a historic 2-Day Championship for the Premier Side.

By Callum Hill

The University of Canterbury Blues Awards provided a successful night for the Burnside West Christchurch University Cricket Club as the Premier side took out one of the supreme awards, team of the year, after a tight victory over Lancaster Park in the Metro One Day final.

BWCUCC have always been proud of their affiliation with the University. The Premier side that took home team of the year featured seven current or past UC students, one of which was Thomas Zohrab (Law and Criminal Justice) who was man of the match taking 4-24 off his 10 overs and scoring 48 not out to guide BWCUCC home for only their second title in over 25 years.

Premier Captain and Canterbury representative Matt Hay was on hand to receive the award. After an impressive season himself with both bat and ball.

“We were really clear at the start of the season that we wanted to add to the clubs proud legacy and firstly to win the one day cup was really exciting and to be acknowledged on a larger scale up against some really strong other clubs was exciting & reinforced what we are trying to achieve.” Hay explained when asked about what the accolade meant to the club.

It was not only a special night for the Premier side. A number of Special mentions go out to UC students Mitchell Hay (Engineering)  and Will O’Rouke (Sports Coaching) who received Blue awards for representing Canterbury last season in all three formats. Both men received professional contracts for the 2022/23 season. Premier scorer Arun Kumar (Engineering) won official of the year, for his involvement in scoring ICC Test matches at Hagley oval this summer.

Overall a successful night for the entire club. Not just for the players, but for everyone behind the scenes. A special reflection on a fantastic summer.

Callum Hill.

Nestled down a long driveway off Avonhead road, tucked in between the Burnside Bowls Club and the famous Burnside Rugby Football Club, sits The Burnside West Christchurch University Cricket Club. A club with a unique history and host to some special individuals. 

This Saturday the club will play for the inaugural Jerry Cross Memorial Shield. If you follow local club cricket, chances are you will know Jerry Cross. Jerry was an avid supporter of BWCUCC and consistently went above and beyond for the club. Doing whatever he could to help. Whether it be getting the drinks ready or attending the scoreboard Jerry was always keen and willing to do whatever he could to make game days go as smoothly as possible. A passion for stats, Jerry compiled stats for player and team performances not only for BWCUCC and the Christchurch Metro Competition, but also his beloved Canterbury Crusaders and National sides. He supported the club religiously since 1971/72 as a 16 year old. He would travel anywhere to watch the club and was a loved member. Jerry was rewarded for his ongoing services to the club with life membership at the 2017 AGM. Jerry could never wield a bat or throw down the stumps due to his physical disabilities. But this never hindered his contribution to the club. The roles he played were just as important as anyone in the playing XI. Jerry sadly passed away in 2020, a terrific club man loved by all. 

This Saturday’s game will split the club in half. Recognising the merger between West Christchurch Cricket Club out of Hagley and The University Cricket Club who were based out of Ilam Fields. Then went on to merge with Burnside Cricket in 1972-73 moving full time to Burnside Park. Concluding 67 years at Hagley Oval. The merge of these clubs through the 1900’s following depressions and World Wars were paramount to maintaining the standard of local cricket. 

To pay tribute to one of the club’s favourite patrons and to also acknowledge the club’s rich history. Premier and Championship players that have studied or are studying at The University of Canterbury will combine as ‘University,’ and take on the members of the club that are tradesmen, workers or affiliated with other Universities from around the country. They will combine as ‘Burnside West Christchurch.’

If you are around this weekend, Saturday the 24th, venture down to the club. There will be a working bee to get the club ready for the start of the cricket season commencing from 9am. Followed by The Jerry Cross Memorial Shield, University v Burnside West Christchurch. The fixture will be a T20. Bar opens for the first ball at 1pm for no doubt an exciting afternoon and the start of what is hopefully a successful 2022/23 season and the start of a special tradition.

By Callum Hill.

Back again for the second instalment of the Off Season 10. We previously dove into the rich history of the club’s top ten batsmen. Now we turn our attention to the bowlers. Some impressive performances with the ball in hand have taken place over the clubs history, whether it be George Gearrys 10-50 in 1955/56, Scott Inglis 9-49 in his final season or Jackson Latham’s semi final hat-trick on the way to the 2021/22 one day title, onlookers and patrons have been spoilt with incredible displays since  the clubs inclusion in the Christchurch Metro Competition in 1905. We have rustled through the archives and narrowed down the clubs top ten wicket takers. From turn and bounce to swing and seam, Burnside West Christchurch University Cricket Club has produced some exceptional bowlers who have mastered their craft and have etched their names in the BWCUCC history books, not only champion bowlers, but champion men in their own right.

Read More “Off Season 10, BWCUCC’s Top 10 Wicket-Takers.”

BWCUCC with the support of Cricket Express and Paladin would like to present our new playing and training gear for the 2022/23 season and beyond.

The design has a maroon domination, our distinctive colour with navy blue and gold incorporated maintaining the history of the three clubs that have become BWCUCC.

With the creation of two new sides calling Burnside Park their home for 2022 the design has been made to align our senior uniforms. We wish to welcome all of our new members to our second presidents side & our other new side whose grade is yet to be determined

Our Premiership, Championship, Div 2 Lions will be joining our two new teams in this design, with the President Foxes & Broncos sticking with their recently adopted new Paladin kit.

This season we are going to begin migrating away from club supplied shirts and pants due players wanting to retain their shirts, the get the correct fit for everyone and has the opportunity for you to add your name and number to this kit

All players intending to play in one of these five sides please reach out to your captain to place your order if contact has not already been made! There is urgency to the order due to the nature of lead times and the first club wide order will be submitted on 3rd August