Andrew Russell
July 2nd 2022
A familiar pattern is emerging over the course of the season where our young development team pits themselves against vastly more experienced teams full of late bloomers! This time round our 11 youths were up against 6 adults and 5 youths.
It is testament to the team’s spirit, that despite the gulf in experience they have taken these games to the wire every single week, never once dropping their heads.
The Hills captain. Joseph Russell, won the toss and elected to bat. Joseph (20) and Alan Courell jr (14) set a solid base of 48 against adult bowlers who would normally operate a few divisions above this standard.
A couple of quick wickets pegged the Hills back but Max Stead (26 n.o.) kept the scoreboard ticking over with some fluent batting. Max Brophy (28) and Peter Stead (8 n.o.) scored quick runs to set a total of 123 off 25 overs, the overs having been reduced to accommodate a request from Adamstown for a later start and the less than optimistic weather forecast.
The Hills got off to a flying start in the second innings with 3 smart run outs taking out the top order. Twins Brandon Vincenzo (0-12 off 5) and Tristan Vincenzo (1-15 off 5) kept the bowling tight and youngsters James Davis (aged 11) and Leo Russell (aged 9) got their first couple of overs bowling in senior cricket.
However, in the end Adamstown’s middle order batted well and squeezed over the line with a couple of wickets and a couple of overs to spare.
So, whilst a victory was once again just out of reach, the boys experienced the type of scenarios which will benefit their cricket development over the course of the next few seasons. Success for this team will be measured on how many of the boys progress up the divisions in adult cricket, and there is a good chance that 5 or 6 of them will be playing 4th team cricket this weekend.
Thanks once again to Alan Courell for umpiring and Stephen Archer for scoring. Thanks also to Shane & Lydia Vincenzo and Jackie Courell who pulled together an excellent tea for the teams.
