JUST one catch changed Hayden Essery's perception of cricket.
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Three years ago he couldn't stand the game.
"I thought it was boring,'' the 12-year-old from Wingham admitted.
However, when he was nine he was coerced to field for his elder brother's side.
"I took a catch,'' Hayden recalled.
His world changed. Suddenly cricket wasn't so boring, he decided.
"I love it,'' he says now.
And he's chalked up some achievements in a relatively short time.
Hayden has been selected in the Northern NSW Razorbacks under 13 side to play in carnival at Dubbo in January. He is the final Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week for 2014, earning a $50 open order at Iguana.
A opening batsman, Hayden gained selection after attending trials for the North Coast under 14 Kookaburra Cup side. He missed out there, but was named in the Northern NSW 13s squad.
He's had a successful year. He made the final selections for the State PSSA side after playing strongly for Hunter in the State championships, where he defied terrible conditions to be among the leading run scorers. The last trials were held at St Gregorys Campbelltown and while Hayden missed out, he said it was a good experience.
In the last calendar year he's scored 950 runs in all forms of cricket, from club to school to representative. He was also a member of the Wingham Public side that made the quarter finals of the State-wide Taber Shield.
Hayden has also taken to leg spin bowling and snared 33 wickets in the past 12 months.
He has a highest score of 78. In fact he's made the same score twice and in successive matches, the second on a heavy field at the Wingham Sporting Complex. Now his ambition is to register his first century.
Hayden's side won the under 12 grand final last season and are coming second in the under 14s this summer. He was also a member of the successful Manning under 14 side that won the Mid North Coast final played at Wingham earlier this month.
He practices weekly with his junior team and sometimes doubles up with the seniors.
During winter he plays halfback and will turn out for Wingham's under 13s rugby league next year.
For good measure he was recently named Wingham Public School's sportstar of the year.