Junior Cricket Battled the Elements at Nutrien Ag. Solutions Complex

The Challengers and Junior cricket games went ahead at the Nutrien Ag. Solutions Cricket Complex on Friday thanks to the mowing crew who kept at it when they could between the periods of rain during the week.  Low totals were scored though because of the thick grass and damp outfields slowing the balls, with only 2 fours hit in the three games.  In the Challengers game Cooper Amos and Oliver Richter, and Hugh Armstrong and Jai Baxter's partnerships were the highest.  Oliver was given one of the "McDonalds Sports Awards" for his batting and also for his great effort to bowl with a straight arm.  In her first game of Challengers Killara Russell won the other because of her great batting and fielding.  Jai also took 3 wickets and Olivia Patti, Dylan and Cooper took 2 each. 

Henry Cohen was the only batter to score double figures in the Blue Group this week with 10 runs, next were Mazlyn Smith and Jardii Russell on 8.  The bowlers and fielders dominated the scorebook in this low scoring game.  Royce Cohen was the best bowler with figures of 4 for 11 runs off his three overs and got a "McDonalds Sports Award" for his excellent bowling.  Flynn Levitt, 3 for 6 and Tait Parker, 3 for 10 were other notable mentions.  Flynn and Jardii also effected 2 run outs each and Mazlyn took a catch.  Mazlyn took home the other award in this game for her all-round batting, bowling and fielding.

Some great running between the wickets and the slow outfield enabled the Gold Group batters to post some reasonable scores, even though only one boundary was hit.  Marshall Parker retired not out on 19 with some well-run twos and threes when he hit into space in the outfield.  Oscar Mahoney, 12 was one ball off retiring when he was bowled by Tyler Schultz.  Ben Watkins was looking good on 7 runs until his stumps were rattled with another great ball from him, Tyler ended up with figures of 2 for 17.  Mark Wilkie, 11 was another batter to be doing it easy until Alex Cullen got him in a close runout decision.  Other bowlers to take a wicket each were Kyle Wilkie, Ben and Alex. Kaisen Petersen and Alex Cullen got the "McDonalds Sports Awards" for their overall batting, bowling and their game awareness in the field.

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Ben Watkins drives through the crease during Friday’s match.
Alex Cullen delivers with pace and precision.

Photos supplied

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