10/09/2026
The playoffs of Success Avenue NPL 5.0 got underway with plenty of action across both divisions, as teams battled for a place in the final and a chance to keep their season alive. With the top two sides in each division facing off in the qualifying match and the third and fourth-placed teams meeting in the elimination match, there was plenty at stake across the four matches.
Newcastle Hunters’ Noel Mathew was the standout performer of the round, taking home the Player of the Week award after a magnificent unbeaten 124 from 62 balls. Noel found the boundary 17 times during a dominant innings that powered the Hunters to a commanding total of 203/3 and set the tone for their playoff campaign. His performance was one of the finest batting displays of the season so far and proved decisive in securing Newcastle Hunters’ place in the next stage.
The Super Striker of the Week award goes to Knights Watchmen’s Dapinder Sharma, who made an immediate impact with a quick-fire 26 from just 9 deliveries. With a strike rate of 288.88, he provided his side with valuable runs in a short period and contributed to an important playoff victory.
Satnam Singh Dulku of Viratians claims the Economic Bowler of the Week award after an excellent spell of control, finishing with figures of 4-0-14-0 and an economy of 3.50. In a playoff round where every run can make a difference, his efforts to restrict the scoring throughout the spell was exceptional.
The Lightning Bowler of the Week award goes to Newcastle Hunters’ Danio Jacob, who produced an important three-wicket spell, finishing with figures of 3 wickets for 28 runs from his four overs. His wickets helped Newcastle Hunters maintain control during their elimination match victory and played an important role in to their playoff progress.
Aside from the brilliant individual performances in the playoffs, the matchups were dramatic and action-packed. In Division 1, the qualifying match between Knights Watchmen and Brown Munde Cricket Club produced a thrilling contest. Knights Watchmen put together an impressive first innings, reaching 227/9 with contributions throughout the batting order, led by Shreyas Desale’s rapid 47 from 23 balls. From the bowling side, Brown Munde’s Abad Ali was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets. In reply, Kashish Panseja kept Brown Munde firmly in the contest with another outstanding innings, smashing 110 from just 40 balls. However, a late collapse, led by three wickets from Viral Mehta, saw Knights Watchmen hold on for a dramatic four-run victory. The result sends Knights Watchmen straight through to another finals appearance.
The Division 1 elimination match also produced a strong performance from Newcastle Hunters, who batted first against Afghan Blue Tigers and posted 203/3. Noel Mathew was at the centre of the innings with his unbeaten 124, giving the Hunters a strong platform to defend. Afghan Blue Tigers struggled to build consistent momentum in the chase as wickets fell regularly, eventually finishing on 171/9 after their 20 overs. The result sees Newcastle Hunters advance to the next stage, while Afghan Blue Tigers’ commendable season comes to an end.
In Division 2, TMCC booked their place in the final after a comfortable victory over Viratians in the qualifying match. Viratians were unable to build any real momentum with the bat, finishing on 106, leaving TMCC with a relatively straightforward chase. Daniel Collinson led the way with 45 as TMCC reached the target with eight wickets in hand to secure their place in the Division 2 final.
The Division 2 elimination match between Punjab Warriors and Mighty Dark Horses was a much closer affair. Punjab Warriors posted a competitive 177/5, with Narinder Kumar and Kashif Hameed both contributing important scores. Mathews Parackal led the bowling effort for Mighty Dark Horses with three wickets. In the chase, opener Elson Mathew provided the foundation with an excellent 58 from 36 balls before Kiran Venu took control at the finish, smashing an unbeaten 44 from 22 deliveries to guide Mighty Dark Horses to victory in the final over. The win keeps their campaign alive and sends them through to the next stage.
With the first round of the playoffs now complete, the finals picture is beginning to take shape. Knights Watchmen have already secured their place in the Division 1 final, while TMCC have done the same in Division 2. Next week, Newcastle Hunters will face Brown Munde Cricket Club in Division 1, while Mighty Dark Horses will take on Viratians in Division 2, with the winners of both matches advancing to play in the grand finals. With a place in the championship match on the line, both contests are set to be thrillers as we wait to see who gets to be crowned Success Avenue NPL 5.0 champions.
A quick review of finals round 1 of Success Avenue NPL 5.0:
Division 1
KNIGHTS WATCHMEN def BROWN MUNDE CRICKET CLUB by 4 runs
NEWCASTLE HUNTERS def AFGHAN BLUE TIGERS by 32 runs
Division 2
TMCC def VIRATIANS by 8 wickets
MIGHTY DARK HORSES def PUNJAB WARRIORS by 5 wickets
NPL5 SUPERSTARS OF THE WEEK- PLAYOFFS
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
NOEL MATHEW
NEWCASTLE HUNTERS
124*(62) ; 9 x 4S , 8 x 6S
SUPER STRIKER OF THE WEEK
DAPINDER SHARMA
KNIGHTS WATCHMEN
26 (9); SR: 288.88
ECONOMIC BOWLER OF THE WEEK
SATNAM SINGH DULKU
VIRATIANS
4-0-14-0; ECONOMY-3.50
LIGHTNING BOWLER OF THE WEEK
DANIO JACOB
NEWCASTLE HUNTERS
4-0-28-3
🙏 Thank You to Our Valued Sponsors
A heartfelt thank you to all our sponsors whose continued support helps make Success Avenue NPL T20 5.0 bigger and better than ever.
🏆 Title Sponsor: Success Avenue Property Consultancy
💎 Diamond Sponsor: Thompson Clarke
🥇 Gold Sponsors: AGL Energy, J&S Engineering & Maintenance
📢 Branding Partner: Stroberri Digital Solutions
📺 Live Streaming Partner: Gain Home Loans
📸 Videos & Photography: Burger Fields
🤝 Fair Play Award: Partypies
🏅 Division 1 Trophies & Medals: A1 Fincorp Pty Ltd
🏅 Division 2 Trophies & Medals: One Choice Concrete
💰 Cash Prize Sponsor: Creatus Acoustics
🟣 Purple Cap & Orange Cap Sponsor: ORICA
🌟 Weekly Awards Sponsors:
• Belle Property – Player of the Week
• GSS Car Rentals – Super Striker of the Week
• Gladman Pest Control – Economical Bowler of the Week
• Kairali Asian Groceries – Lightning Bowler of the Week
