ALTHOUGH extreme weather conditions forced many cricketers to not step on the field in the South East region last week, Mount Gambier was a hive of activity last Sunday, when two Cross Border Cup junior cricket games were played.
Talented young players from Mount Gambier and Warrnambool squared off in a pair of Under 14 and 16 one-day fixtures, with the bragging rights shared between the rivals.
Mount Gambier’s Under 14 outfit won in thrilling fashion after it defended a small total at Scott Park, while Warrnambool prevailed in a tight Under 16 contest at Malseed Park.
The two close encounters saw several impressive individual feats and team performances.
Ball dominated bat in the Under 14 game, as Mount Gambier experienced a challenging start batting first.
The Victorians tore through the home side’s middle order with consistent wickets and after 15 overs Mount Gambier was on the ropes at 6/41.
But its tail order rallied to produce an inspiring fightback.
Jack Lawrence was the only middle-order batsman to survive and found support in Elwood Geary.
The pair ticked the strike over regularly and attacked Warrnambool’s bowlers to score 33 valuable runs in seven overs.
Despite Lawrence being run out for nine, Geary continued his uplifting knock.
When Mount Gambier was bowled out for 88 in the 28th over, Geary remained unbeaten as the only batsman to reach double figures with 30.
His contribution gave the home team a fighting chance and the bowlers responded.
Opening paceman Jared Kuhl clean bowled two batsmen in as many overs to put Warrnambool in trouble at 2/4.
But the visitors fought back through a 34-run partnership for the third wicket.
The stand appeared to give them the initiative, but a middle-order collapse changed the complexion of the match.
Suddenly Mount Gambier was in the box seat being just one-wicket away from victory with the score at 9/65.
However, the home side struggled to land the knockout blow, as Warrnambool’s remaining batsmen displayed character.
After fighting hard for eight overs, the pair brought the Victorians to within touching distance of an unlikely win.
But Will Graetz held his nerve and claimed the final wicket to seal a narrow seven-run victory for Mount Gambier.
The home side found life slightly more difficult in the Under 16 clash at Malseed Park.
Warrnambool sent Mount Gambier in on a damp pitch and claimed the first breakthrough in the fifth over.
Alex Hill struggled at the crease and was bowled for a 21-ball duck, while his partners failed to convert on promising starts.
A steady flow of wickets restricted the hosts to 7/80 and in need of some resistance from the tail order.
Tom Smith and Harry Fisher occupied the crease for 13 overs and scored 44 runs to bring Mount Gambier back into the contest.
But once their partnership was broken, Mount Gambier was quickly bowled out for 128.
Fisher top scored with 27 runs, while five other players reached double figures.
The home team’s momentum continued after a dream start to its bowling effort thanks to a hot spell by Isaac Mulraney.
The youngster claimed 5/21 from his 10 overs and took a hat-trick.
His efforts left Warrnambool on the brink of defeat at 5/20, but Fletcher Cozens came to the rescue.
The number-three batsman dominated a game-changing 95-run partnership for the sixth wicket, as he hit eight fours and two sixes.
Despite a late scare when his partner was run out for 21, Cozens guided Warrnambool home to complete a four-wicket win.
He finished on 89 not out, while Mulraney was the only Mount Gambier bowler to take a wicket.
