March 19, 2026

Last-Ball Thriller Highlights Junior Cricket Action

The wet weather held off just long enough for the Junior Cricket games to go ahead last Friday at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex. The "Barras" took on the "Bulls" in a close game in the "Challengers", with the "Bulls" winning by two when Hugh Armstrong hit three runs off the last ball of the match. The margin could have been bigger but for some accurate bowling by Oliver Richter and Doug Cohen, who showed great energy in the field by chasing down everything that went near them.

The highest batting partnerships of 35 runs were scored by a hard-hitting Jai Baxter and Noah Tanner for the "Barras", and Hugh Armstrong and Nate Ryder for the "Bulls". Hugh received a "McDonald's Sports Award" for his great batting technique and the other was awarded to Dylan for taking a hat-trick. Aria Briant and Everly Nicholas contributed to their team's win with excellent running between the wickets, and Everly also took two scalps when bowling.

Runs were harder to score in the "hardball" games, with Jardii Russell the only batter to hit any boundaries on his way to 17 runs in the "Blue" group. Royce Cohen had to run all of his 11 runs to finish second-highest scorer.

Corbett Cross and Jardii both took two wickets each, with Stirling Williams, Tait Parker, Nahjiyah Johnston, Royce Cohen and Henry Cohen snaring one each. Mitchell Patti and Jardii got a run-out each and Royce took two, while Henry also took a catch. Nahjiyah and Corbett took away the "McDonald's Sports Awards" in this game.

In the last "proper" game of the season before the final week and presentations next Friday, the individual "Gold" batting, bowling and overall trophies were still up for grabs because of the close statistics. Mark Wilkie top-scored with 14 not out, followed by Ben Watkins on 12, who was also unbeaten.

Xavier Cross bowled well and took 2 for 14, while others to take a wicket each were Kyle and Mark Wilkie, Rylan Nicholaides and Kip Nicholas. Kip also took a catch along with Tyler Schultz, and Kyle combined with Marshall Parker to perform a run-out. Xavier and Mark earned a "McDonald's Sports Award" each for the "Gold Group”.

CAPTION: Xavier and Mark earned a "McDonald's Sports Award" each for the "Gold Group”. Photo supplied.