Part I: BWCUCC top-10 run-scorers (10-6)
Burnside West Christchurch University Cricket Club | June 29, 2025
Burnside West Christchurch University Cricket Club has a deep history and long list of prolific performers. Here, we look at part one of the top-10 run scorers in the club’s history (10-6).
10 – MW Hay, 5067 runs, BWCUCC #594
Matt Hay is a local junior who returned to his junior club straight out of high school. The left-hander was originally known for his power hitting and all-round ability, but soon developed into one of the most consistent and reliable middle order players in Christchurch Premier cricket.
Although his batsmanship improved as he got older, Hay has never lost the raw ability to take the game away from the opposition, which has been paramount to Burnside’s recent success. Hay has represented Canterbury in List-A and T20 cricket and is the most winningest captain in the club’s history, at only 27 his best cricket is likely still ahead of him. Hay has also bagged 354 wickets bowling his right-arm finger spin. When all is said and done, Hay will be a lot higher north than 10th on this list.
Matt Hay in action at Hagley Oval. PHOTO: Liz Inglis.
9 – RC Blunt, 5178 runs, BWCUCC #68 (West Christchurch)
All-rounder Roger Blunt is another stylish cricketer that produced 16 club centuries at an impressive average of 56.9 from 1915-26 with a monstrous highest score of 266. One of the 1928 Wisden Cricketers of the year, the Durham born leg spinning all-rounder boasts many reportable feats. One being annihilating 42 off an 8 ball over against Riccarton in 1923.
The rare feats don’t stop there, Blunt scored an exciting 338 not out in the 1931-32 Plunket Shield fixture while playing for Otago against his former province Canterbury, a knock that at the time was the highest score in New Zealand first class cricket. Beyond his combined 114 First Class appearances for Otago and Canterbury averaging 40.99. Blunt was the club’s third Blackcap. Playing in nine tests as an all-rounder from 1930-32. Blunt fell heartbreakingly short of a test century scoring 96 against his birth country England at Lord’s. Outside of cricket Blunt received an M.B.E for his work in business in 1965.
Roger Blunt in his NZ Blazer.
8 – DG Farrant, 5581 runs, BWCUCC #372
David Farrant played 160 games for BWCUCC from 1978-90. Scoring two centuries and 19 half centuries with a high score of 150 not out in the two-day format and a further 14 half centuries in one day cricket.
A consistent performer over a long period of time, four separate seasons Farrant scored 500 runs or more in the two-day competition alone.
An impressive all-rounder, along with his batting prowess, Farrant amassed 221 wickets over his 12 years in the saddle over all formats. These consistent performances at club level earned him four first class matches and two list A games for Canterbury.
This however was not the only sport David excelled in. Farrant was a crafty outside back playing dominantly at Fullback for Burnside, in 1986 Farrant played his lone cap for Canterbury on the wing in the NPC, no mean feat considering the strength of domestic rugby through the 80’s. The Farrant name is a legendary one around the cricket club. With brother, Anthony playing 87 times for the club and son, Matt playing his 201st match in the 2021/22 One Day Final victory over Lancaster Park.
Dave Farrant defending against Old Collegians.
7 – GN Gearry, 5581 runs, BWCUCC #171 (West Christchurch)
Another fantastic all-round talent. George Gearry represented the club 140 times from 1939-62.
A phenomenal left-handed stroke maker that went on to amass ten centuries for the club with a high score of 166 not out.
Another consistent performer that passed the 500-run mark on four separate occasions. To go with George’s ten centuries, his medium pacers picked up 11 five-wicket-hauls.
Not only that, but he is the only cricketer from the club to take ten wickets in an innings, with 10-50 against Old Collegians in the 1955/56 season. George was selected for Canterbury in 1953 after he served in World War II with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, where he was utilised more as a bowler. Picking up best figures of 6/32 against Wellington in just his second appearance. His batting was not lost at first class level scoring two half centuries with a highest score of 79 helping Canterbury to victory over Auckland.
6 – SA Jeffery 5763 runs, BWCUCC #387
Stephen Jeffery slots in at number six on the all-time leading run scorer list. A mainstay at first slip and a classy batsman throughout the “Watershed years,” the 80’s and 90’s in a very dominant era for the club 1982-95.
Jeffery consistently performed season after season to put BWCUCC in solid positions to regularly contend for trophies. Another player to surpass 500 runs in the two-day competition four times. Averaging 30.8 over his 85 two-day appearances for the club, scoring four centuries and 22 half centuries with a highest score of 138. Also, a handy addition with the ball, Stephens best figures in two-day cricket were 5-40.
Jeffery also played 75 one day matches amassing 160 total appearances for the club. Winning the two-day trophy once and the one-day trophy an outstanding ten times this incredible period saw them run second at the club nationals in 1994/95.
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