An unseasonably hot October day in Sydney saw high scores in most of the matches in the first round of the 2000-01 Sydney first grade competition which got under way today.

Four centuries were scored across the ten games today, with five teams scoring more than 300 runs. Top scorer of the day was Sydney University's former NSW opener Rodney Davison, who plundered an unbeaten 168 in a total of 2/331 against Eastern Suburbs at Waverley Oval.

Davison was well supported by Ed Cowan (91) and Phil Stanbridge (59*). The only wicket-taker for Easts was Greg Matthews (2/78 from 26 overs).

The highest team total of the day was Balmain's 7/371 against Sutherland. Gregg Everest and Matthew Schenke both reached their eighties for the Tigers.

Among all the high scores, one match already looks headed for a first-innings result, with North Sydney 1/94 in reply to Fairfield's 171 all out at Rosedale Oval.

Other century-makers today were Scott Thompson (113 for St George), Andrew Sutherland (111 for Campbelltown) and Michael Clarke (108 for Wests).

Best bowling performances of the day came from Dominic Thornely (5/45 for Northern District), Ed Zelma (5/36 for Gordon), Robert Smith (5/101 for Petersham) and David Langford-Smith (5/75 for University of NSW).

Among current Blues players in action today: Brett van Deinsen (4) and Graeme Rummans (2) for St George; Corey Richards (22) for Bankstown; Greg Mail (13) for Balmain and Stuart Clark (3/93) for Sutherland; Trent Johnston (2/46) for his new club Mosman; and Matthew Phelps (46) and Shawn Bradstreet (3) for Manly-Warringah.

Meanwhile, in reserve grade, Darren Wotherspoon racked up an incredible 266 not out for North Sydney against Fairfield out of a total of 8/435 declared.

All round one matches continue next Saturday, while the first round of the Limited-Overs competition is played tomorrow.

First grade scores at stumps Saturday:

Waitara: Randwick 9/303 (I Barter 76, A Millican 89; D Thornely 5/45) v Northern District.

Waverley: Sydney University 2/331 (R Davison 168*, E Cowan 91, P Stanbridge 59*; G Matthews 2/78) v Eastern Suburbs.

Hurstville: St George 257 (S Thompson 113; K Daley 3/44), Parramatta 0/1.

Bankstown: Hawkesbury 205 (M Goeke 54; M Betsey 3/36, G Trevena 3/47), Bankstown 3/47.

Caringbah: Balmain 7/371 (G Everest 89, M Schenke 87; D McLauchlan 4/104, S Clark 3/93) v Sutherland.

Killara: Campbelltown 257 (A Sutherland 111; E Zelma 5/36), Gordon 2/55.

Petersham: Penrith 270 (D Burke 63, T Lang 54; R Smith 5/101, G Farquharson 4/44) v Petersham 2/59.

Warwick Farm: Fairfield 171 (S Perris 58; A Shoobridge 3/34), North Sydney 1/94.

Ashfield: Western Suburbs 339 (MJ Clarke 108, A McCaffrey 79; M Haywood 3/27) v Mosman.

Village Green: Manly 333 (J Moss 90, J Pipe 65; D Langford-Smith 5/75, D Heysen 4/51) v Uni of NSW.

© CricInfo Ltd 2000