STAFF WRITERS
CRICKET
TDCA
THE Traralgon District Cricket Association Under 13 season came to a close on Monday, March 6 after some very good games of junior cricket in the semi-finals played back on February 27.
In the first semi-final, Ex Students Hammerheads hosted Gormandale at Old Trafford Oval.
Batting first the Hammerheads made a good score of 5/120 thanks mainly to Benjamin Cooper who made 34 not out.
Captain Lee Bastin retired not out on 22 and Lucas Mackay made a good 18 retired not out as well.
Gormandale would need to bat well to chase down the large total but when Tyler Churchill came on to bowl all hope of victory went out the window as the young bowler claimed an amazing hat-trick which had him and his team mates celebrating wildly.
Gormandale would only be able to make 60 in reply to the Hammerheads’ 5/120, with Bailey Fulham being the best for the Tigers, making 29.
The win went to Ex Students but the day belonged to young Tyler Churchill for a rare hat-trick.
The second semi-final took place at Jack Maskrey Oval between Rovers and Ex Students Great Whites.
Rovers batted first and started shakily, but then built their score through star players Adam Hurley and skipper Fletcher Graham.
Hurley retired on 19 not out while Graham made a very good 31 not out.
The Great Whites started better than Rovers but couldn’t finish the game off as they lost four wickets to run outs trying to chase down Rovers’ score of 5/97.
Tylah Donoghue was the best bowler finishing with 2/16 as Ex Students fell three runs short which meant Rovers went through to the Grand Final to face off with the Ex Students Hammerheads.
THE Hammerheads batted first in the Grand Final, struggling to build partnerships thanks to some good bowling and fielding which managed to get two run outs throughout the innings.
Only two batters were able to make double figures in the Hammerheads innings with the hero of the semi-final Tyler Churchill top scoring with 21 not out while Lucas Mackay made 10 himself.
Rovers opened with Adam Hurley who needed to be retired after 20 balls which then gave the Hammerheads a chance to get some wickets.
The Sharks bowled well removing four Rovers batters for ducks but Fletcher Graham stood tall for Rovers smashing 33 from 19 balls which included five boundaries and a big six.
Adam Hurley then came back in to bat and in the 14th over finished the match making 27 from 21 balls, hitting a six himself in the process.
Rovers ended up winning the Grand Final by four wickets which was reward for effort.
Ex Students as a club should be very happy having two very good junior teams coming through their ranks which will see the club be in a good position for years to come.
Success: Rovers celebrates after winning the Under 13s flag in Traralgon District Cricket Association. Photos: Supplied
