Boys hold nerve in Senior Cricket

SCHOOL SPORT VICTORIA – LODDON MALLEE REGION

CRICKET

Senior Boys

An early morning departure of 4.15am was a challenging preparation for the Senior Boys Team’s trip to Mildura for the LMR stage of competition.

Presented with a fantastic playing surface and facilities at the Mildura Sporting Precinct, captain Hugh Behrens had no hesitation in electing to bat first in the opening game against Mildura Senior. Openers Oscar Cail and Xavier Grant set the tone early with a fast start, finding the boundary regularly. Xavier (26) was the first wicket to fall with the score on 55, inside the powerplay.

Max Thompson quickly got in on the action, with multiple boundaries in his first 10 deliveries. Oscar was the next batter to fall for a well-made 26. Max fell shortly afterwards, chasing quick runs at the back of the innings for 31. Hugh Behrens and Harvey White both finished not out on 12, as CMCB closed the innings on 3/120 off their allocated 14 overs.

The CMCB opening bowlers had an early impact on the Mildura innings, keeping them 4/7 after the opening 5 overs, with Hugh Behrens taking 3/2 off 3 overs and Max Thompson 1/5 off 2 overs. Seb Rossi and Lachie Wilson also claimed a wicket each in their bowling spells, as CMCB ran away as victors by 57 runs, restricting Mildura to 7/63 off 14 overs.

In the second game of the day, CMCB were pitted against St Joseph’s College, Echuca. Hugh again won the toss and elected to bat first. Unfortunately, the innings didn’t get off to a promising start, with Oscar Cail being the first wicket to fall with the score on 9. Xavier Grant departed soon after leaving the team at 2/25. Max Thompson (30) and Hugh Behrens (24) steadied the innings with a quality third wicket partnership before constant wickets fell and halted the momentum. CMCB finished their 14 overs on 7/85.

The boys needed to start their bowling innings well, defending a below par score. The seamers started the innings well and were able to manage the run-rate, restricting St Joseph’s to 4/29 at the midpoint of the innings. However, St Joseph’s were up for the fight and gained momentum with some excellent stroke play from the middle order. The equation got down to 28 runs off 18 balls and eventually 15 runs required off the final over. The CMCB boys held their nerve, executing two run-outs and some safe catches in the deep to take home a 3-run victory.

The team should be very proud of their commitment and representation of the College. They now progress to the State Quarter Finals to be played at Junortoun on Monday 17 March.

TEAM: Mr Winter-Irving, Hugh Behrens, Sebastian Rossi, Lachlan Wilson, Gus Hay, Oscar Cail, Miller Armstrong, Darby Whatley, Harvey White, Xavier Grant, Max Thompson, Angus O’Brien, Finn Millar