Max Hope, Sydney University runners-up in Kingsgrove Twenty20 Cup

The Bathurst player and his side won the Thunder Conference in their Kingsgrove T20 Cup campaign, courtesy of a revenge win over Penrith, but went down to Sixers Conference champions Sutherland in the deciding game at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Penrith had been the only team to best Sydney Uni this NSW Premier Cricket first grade season and the team were eager to hit back.

Uni had Penrith in all sorts of trouble at 2-4 but through Ryan Gibson (33), Brent Atherton (25) and Cameron Weir (23) helped their side post a competitive total of 9-126.

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Sydney’s start was even worse than Penrith’s – losing two wickets for no runs – but an unbeaten 50 from Nick Walker helped the team chase down the target with six wickets and more than two overs in hand.

In the final Sydney were sent into bat. Walker couldn't repeat his earlier efforts but fellow opener Hayden Kerr (40) enjoyed a turnaround in fortunes.

Sutherland’s bowling attack was at its best, removing three players for ducks, although Tim Ley (24) provided batting assistance further down the order during a tough game for Uni.

Every single Sutherland player managed to make a start with the bat as the team cruised to a comfortable five wicket victory.

Sutherland’s captain was the currently suspended Australian skipper Steve Smith, who hit 19 runs and picked up a wicket.