It may not have been done in conventional fashion but the Parramatta Cricket Club are the toast of the cricketing world after winning the Belvidere Cup in dire conditions on Sunday afternoon.
Parramatta were crowned First Grade Premiers of the 2022/23 NSW Premier Cricket competition after defeating Sydney University in unusual circumstances at Cricket Central Oval in Homebush.
Former Penrith batsman and rising NSW star Ryan Hackney was named Player of the Final with an incredible 193 run (not out) performance to guide his side to their first Belvidere Cup title since the 2017/18 season.
Kicking off in sunny conditions last Friday morning, Sydney University won the toss and elected to bowl.
With Hackney leading the way with the bat, Parramatta put up an incredible first innings total of 10/380.
With rain wreaking havoc on both Saturday and Sunday, play was severely disrupted, which resulted in Sydney Uni only getting 3.4 overs at the crease.
With no end to the rain in sight, the match was called off and the teams shook hands, declaring Parramatta winners.
The victory marked Parramatta’s second First Grade title since 1893/94.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.