SCHOOL SPORT VICTORIA - LODDON MALLEE REGION

Intermediate Boys Cricket

The LMR Intermediate Cricket Finals were played at the Mercy Junortoun Sporting Precinct on Tuesday 14 October, on a stunning Spring day. To have a chance at winning the day, the boys knew that they would have to play well in all three matches.

Game 1: CMCB vs St Joseph's College, Echuca

In the first game of the day, St Joseph’s won the toss and elected to bat. Their opening batsmen got off to a flying start, making a quick-fire 32 runs. However, once a couple of wickets fell, the scoring slowed as they went on to make 75 runs for the innings. Aydan Hand finished with 3/11 off 3 overs, bowling superbly and keeping it tight within his spell. Chad Mannes also bowled well, finishing with 2/13 off his 3 overs.

The boys got off to a slow start with the bat, as the opening duo of Jacobi and Tyce only made single-figure scores. Jaxon Kelly (15) came in at number 3 and looked composed, hitting some boundaries to increase the run rate, but it was Aydan Hand who was the pick of the batsmen, making 44 runs to guide the team to victory. The boys ended up making 6/104 to secure a great win.

Game 2: CMCB vs St Joseph's College, Mildura

After winning the toss, CMCB elected to bowl. Charlie Macumber started the innings off well, bowling excellent line and length and making it difficult for the batsmen to score. He was soon rewarded for his efforts as he secured the first wicket of the game. Riley Travaglia (2/10) also bowled well and was up and about in the field as he effected a brilliant run-out. Mildura continued to press where they could and finished with 7/88 for the innings.

Griffin O’Shea was sent in to open the innings alongside Tyce Griffin for this game. Tyce was once again dismissed cheaply for 1, but undeterred, Griffin continued to play steadily as the innings progressed. Wickets fell regularly throughout the innings until Chad Mannes came to the crease and produced a match-winning performance. Chad made 25 runs and was able to hit boundaries, which in turn put the pressure back on the bowlers. CMCB finished on 5/84 after 12 overs to secure the win.

Game 3: CMCB vs Kerang Technical High School

Kerang won the toss and elected to bat, and this proved to be an innings where all the boys got an opportunity to bowl. Jaxon Kelly and Griffin O’Shea made the most of this, both finishing with 2 and 3 wickets respectively. The boys bowled an excellent line and length and were rewarded for their output, as Kerang finished on 9/71 after 13 overs.

With the bat in hand CMCB got off to a flying start in this innings, as Tyce Griffin was after redemption from the previous games, making a swift 53. He was able to find his boundaries consistently, which in turn put the pressure back on the bowlers. Jacobi Kramer (16) came in at number 3 and also made quick runs as the boys were able to knock off the Kerang total of 71 in the 5th over of the innings. This was a remarkable effort, especially in Game 3.

This third and final win secured the LMR Championship and also gained them a place in the State Quarter Final, which will be played on Wednesday 5 November, once again at the MJSP.

Congratulations boys!

Mr Xavier Walsh (Coach), Tyce Griffin, Riley Travaglia, Aydan Hand, Charlie Macumber, Griffin O’Shea, Henry O’Callaghan, Callan Orr, Zavier Ralphs, Chad Mannes, Jacobi Kramer, Jaxon Kelly, Elliot Ryan, Quinlan Cody