Drought Breaker: Parramatta claim Belvidere Cup behind Hackney hundred

Parramatta have claimed their first NSW Cricket First Grade Title since 2018, with a rain-affected victory over Sydney University in the Belvidere Cup final.

Sent into bat, Parramatta put their best foot forward on Friday with an unbeaten 193 from 432 balls for opener Ryan Hackney and a 134-run fourth-wicket partnership with Dhruv Kant helping them to a commanding first-innings total of 380 - despite an impressive 7/103 from University bowler Hayden Kerr. Hackney hit 15 fours on his way to the precipice of a double-century, but ultimately ran out of support following the dismissal of Kant (69) and Ben Abbott (30).

Though University were able to get their innings underway, the third and deciding day of the fixture was ultimately washed out, with Uni sitting a 0/10 off 3.4 overs.

The weather would ultimately hand the higher-seeded Parramatta side their historic title. Though Sydney University finished the regular home-and-away season as the minor premiers, their stunning Week 1 loss to Randwick-Petersham in the finals left Parramatta as the higher-ranked seed for the decider.

Hackney won the Benaud Medal as player of the match after his record-breaking innings.

PARRAMATTA 380
Hackney 193* (432)
Kant 69 (188)
Kerr 7/103 (43)

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 0/10
Game washed out by rain.

‍

‍