SCHOOL SPORT VICTORIA - LODDON MALLEE REGION

Senior Boys Cricket

After a change of day and venue due to heavy rain, the Senior boys arrived at the Mercy Junortoun Sporting Precinct on Friday 6 March, with a chance to win through to the State Semi Finals, if they could notch up a couple of wins at the Regional Titles. The squad was in good spirits as they warmed up and went through their paces. Skipper Finn Millar unfortunately lost the toss against St Joseph’s College, Echuca, who chose to bat first on a great-looking wicket.

Max Thompson took the new ball and immediately felt the force of a strong batting line-up, going for 15 off the first over. St Joseph’s opening partnership continued to flourish, and it wasn’t until Tom Smith’s third and final over that the boys were able to break through their defences thanks to some devious bowling. Miller then turned to spin with Zane MacDonald with great effect, as he not only took wickets but also restricted St Joseph’s flow of runs as he finished with 3/13 off his 3 overs. With the game somewhat back on even terms, St Joseph finished on 4/110 from their 14 overs.

Bowling:

• Max Thompson 3 – 0 – 0 – 27
• Riley Travaglia 2 – 0 – 0 – 8
• Tom Smith 3 – 0 – 1 – 28
• Miller Armstrong 2 – 0 – 0 – 21
• Zane MacDonald 3 – 0 – 3 – 13
• Jakobi Kramer 1 – 0 – 0 – 9

The boys went in with the same batting plans that had worked in the previous couple of games, however some strong and disciplined bowling by St Joseph’s kept the boys to just 1/31 after the powerplay. Millar (6) and Armstrong (33) found the going tough early, while Jackson Harris thoroughly enjoyed his promotion to 3, hitting 24 from 19. Thompson then joined forces with Travaglia, with the need to put the foot down, but once again St Joseph’s tight line and length bowling saw the boys struggling to get runs away. In the end, CMCB finished at 4/104, falling just 6 runs short as the tense and epic final two overs played out. Despite the loss, the intent and effort were never questioned, as the boys gave it their all.

Batting:

• Finn Millar 6 (8)
• Miller Armstrong 33 (31)
• Jackson Harris 24 (19)
• Max Thompson 25 (18)
• Riley Travaglia 9 (6)
• Max Nicholas 3 (2)

Congratulations to all the boys who represented the school in senior cricket this year. A massive thank you to Mrs Pearce and Ms Speed for their support throughout the two days of competition, and to Mrs Julieanne Hewitt for her expert scoring.

TEAM: Mr Michael Van Dorsser (Coach), Miller Armstrong, Finn Millar, Samual Scott, James Balic, Riley Travaglia, Aydan Hand, Jacobi Kramer, Tom Smith, Jackson Harris, Max Thompson, Zane MacDonald, Maxwell Nicholas