2024-25 Season in Review: Burnside's Three-peat
Burnside West Christchurch University Cricket Club | June 11, 2025
The 2024/25 season was another dominant one for the BWCUCC Premier Men. The first block of red ball cricket saw two large wins over Saint Albans & Sydenham and weather effected draws against Riccarton & Heathcote.
New Zealand u19’s captain, Oscar Jackson’s 143* against Riccarton the most notable performance from this block. This strong start opened up a lead at the top of the 2-Day Championship heading into the white ball section of the summer.
Oscar Jackson in action for NZ U19s. PHOTO: ICC/Getty Images.
A new initiative from CMCA to host the T20 finals day at Hagley Oval put a huge prize on this competition. Finishing the round robin 3rd after two last over losses to Sydenham & OBC and five wins against the rest, booked at date with Sydenham in the semi-final.
Newly minted BLACKCAPS T20 wicket keeper Mitchell Hay was available for finals day which was a huge boost for the squad. Setting 181 after 50’s from Scott Janett & Henry Christie and a rapid 46 from Hay. Sydenham could only muster 136 in response with Jackson Latham 3/17 the pick of the bowlers.
The final v Old Boys Collegians was under lights a huge thrill for the players. An impressive bowling & fielding performance restricted OBC to 104. Latham 3/20, Alex Tait 3/22, Matt Hay 2/17 and Adam Winter 2/8 all impressive. The chase was anchored by a classy 50* from Scott Janett and the Prems coasted to their first ever T20 final with 37 balls to spare and 7 wickets.
BWCUCC claimed the Metro T20 title for the first time under lights at Hagley. PHOTO: Liz Inglis.
Captain Matt Hay (left) and brother and Blackcaps gloveman Mitchell after the T20 Grand Final. PHOTO: Liz Inglis.
The one-day competition started in the new year and the prems continued their strong form winning 4/6 and finishing 3rd again meeting Old Boys Collegians in a semi-final. Teetering at 113/7 Adam Winter and Alex Tait got together and put on 60 for the 8th wicket before Adam Winter dominated with the tail to make 81* and post a score of 239/9. OBC could only muster 181 in return with Winter’s 4/30 the stand out capping off a very impressive performance.
The final at St Albans Park was delayed by rain in tough conditions BWCUCC set 176 off 42 overs. Nick Gibb 39 and Winter 36* the main contributors. Lancaster Park chased the score 7 down. Nick Gibb 130* v St Albans and Alex Tait 5/28 v Riccarton were notable performances from the One Day campaign.
Adam Winter saved the day in the One Day semi. PHOTO: Emma Brietmeyer.
Winter in full flight at Hagley Oval. PHOTO: Liz Inglis.
The last block of red ball cricket got off to a rocky start losing the toss at St Albans Park and our Prems were reeling at 30/8. An impressive counter attacking 57 from Tom Turner enabled the side to get to 117 and have something to play with.
Lancaster Park was bowled out for 168 with Matt Hay claiming 6/31. In the second innings the Premiers batted 91 overs in tough conditions to escape with a draw, a pivotal moment in the competition. Round 6 saw a huge innings and 202 run win over East Shirley.
Henry Christie made his maiden premier 100. Matt Hay 92 & Oscar Jackson 70* put on 139 in 9 overs before Alex Tait returned match figures of 23.2 overs 16 maidens 8 for 10. This win gave the Premiers a decent lead going into the last round. Unfortunately, the side lost by 6 runs to OBC but had done enough to complete the 3-PEAT. In completing three consecutive title wins, BWCUCC becomes only the second club to complete this feat in modern history.
A large thanks to the coaching of Carl Huyser & Stephen Murdoch for their contribution to the successes of 24/25. A huge congratulations to Will O’Rourke & Mitchell Hay for their Blackcap debuts over the summer and Scott Janett for his First-Class debut for Canterbury.
- Matt Hay.
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