Back row...Jesse Newman, Fletcher Lewis, Mitch Niven (vice-captain), Ty Brislane, Ryan Morris (captain), Maitlan Brown and coach David Rees front row...Blake Webb, Liam Campbell, Corey Armstrong, Peter Hampton, Reid Brown and Brendan Fuller. Absent- Nathan Drury.
WINGHAM Cricket Club’s under 16s were the grand final winners after a thrilling two days play against Great Lakes at Chris Dempsey Oval, Old Bar.
The team of 13 consisted of Ryan Morris (captain), Mitchell Niven (vice captian), Ty Brislane, Maitlan and Reid Brown, Corey Armstrong, Peter Hampton, Fletcher Lewis, Blake Webb, Jesse Newman, Nathan Drury, Brendan Fuller and Liam Drury.
Their coach David Rees praised the boys on their second day’s bowling and fielding which secured them a first innings win.
Day one saw captain Ryan lose the toss and Wingham were sent into bat at Old Bar oval on a slow outfield.
Wingham’s openers Mitchell Niven and Peter Hampton faced some very good bowling and together started positively.
With the score at 25 and seeing off the pace of Tom Allen, Mitchell was bowled by Jarrod Walton for 14.
At 1/25 Peter was joined by Ryan Morris and with the field well grassed, the going was tough for the batsmen as good shots were getting no runs. With Ryan and Peter putting on a 25 run partnership, Ryan was out 13 off the spin bowling of Ben Whitbread.
Peter, batting patiently, was joined by Jesse Newman, with the score at 64, Jesse on six was caught.
This brought Brendan Fuller to the crease. In the 29th over with his first two balls Jarrod Horm took the wicket of Peter Hampton (23) and then Brendan Fuller without adding to the score. With Wingham’s middle order now in trouble, Ty Brislane was joined by Reid Brown. At 5/69 Brislane and Brown added a partnership of 12 before Ty was bowled for six runs.
At 84 Reid was bowled for six and Fletcher Lewis was now joined by Maitlan Brown. At 86 Maitlan was out, another wicket to Tom Allen.
At 86 Corey Armstrong and Liam Campbell (both on 0) helped take the score to 89 with Fletcher Lewis seven not out running out of partners. Wingham in the 43rd over were all out for 89 runs. With not a big score to defend, the team took to the field after a 10 minute break.
The time now at 11.30, another half hour of play was taken by the umpire who brought Tom Allen and Jarrod Horn to the crease. Wingham’s opening bowling attack of Ty Brislane and Maitlan Brown while bowling well, didn’t take a wicket although Ty had a close LBW appeal turned down. After their seventh over, with the score at 25, spin was introduced with Reid Brown taking the wicket of Jarrod for eight. At 11/25 Mitch Niven bowling his left arm finger spin kept the pressure on. With only five runs off Reid and Mitchell’s four overs and at the close of play on the first day, Great Lakes were 1/30, just 60 runs needed for a victory.
Day two saw a heavy, dewy morning and Wingham enthusiastically taking to the field. Left arm spinner Brendon Fuller was introduced with Ryan Morris bowling his fast balls up the other end. Great Lakes started confidently with Tom Allen and David Pike batting confidently and seeing a victory in their sights. With the score at 48 a great catch to Reid Brown off Brendan Fuller’s bowling saw Tom depart for a great knock at 31. Ryan Morris, even though he was bowling well 0/5 off three decided to bring on Mitchell Niven, so Great Lakes now with Jay Withers at the crease had to face left arm spinners from both ends.
Together they ripped through Great Lakes batsmen with them cleaning up the best five batsmen with only seven runs added to the score.
Great Lakes now after 31 overs were 7/57 with Brendon bowling an incredible six maidens and 3/8 off 10 overs.
Reid Brown was reintroduced and together with Corey Armstrong continued the spin attack. With the score at 65, Reid bowled their eighth batsman. He finished with 2/14 off eight and Corey on 0/5 off two.
Fletcher Lewis bowling his swing medium pace was introduced with Ryan Morris replacing Corey Armstrong. He bowled two maidens and Fletcher then cleaned up their last batsman as they only had 10 players.
Great Lakes were all out for 75 runs, 15 runs short of victory. Great Lakes then sent Wingham back out to back with still an hour-and-a-half of play left.
Mitchell Niven and Ryan Morris took to the bowlers with Niven hitting two sixes and making a quick 26, Ryan (2), Peter Hampton (0), Jesse Newman (3) and Brendan Fuller (20).
Wingham were 4/56 when captain Tom Allen called end of play and Wingham had won on the first innings.
Many thanks to coach Dave Rees who did a wonderful job coaching the team. The side now says goodbye to Ty, Peter, Liam, Blake, Nathan, Fletcher and Brendan who played their last game in junior cricket. We hope to see them in senior cricket next season.
Maree Niven
