Thursday, March 13, 2025

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Home Hill Cricket (Juniors)

The Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex was abuzz with excited juniors last Friday for our weekly games of cricket. The parents watching the Challenger's game were in the box seat to see an amazing partnership between Corbett and Noah of 52 runs, which included two sixes and three eights. A straight shot over the boundary gives the batter eight runs, which encourages straight hitting in the Challenger game. Bowlers to get wickets were Harvey, Nate, Olivia, Nicholas, Lincoln, Corbett, Noah and Claire. The MacDonalds Sports Awards were given to Noah for his excellent batting, and Claire for her bowling and great enthusiasm in the field.

It was a tight game in the ‘Blue Group’ with Mazlyn getting 10 runs, followed by Tait on 9 and Kip and Tyler scoring 8 each. The fielding in this group has improved greatly as there were seven run-outs in this game with Steve, Kip and Tyler throwing accurately. The bowlers to take wickets were Tait, Henry, Stirling and Royce. For his batting and fielding efforts, Kip received the MacDonalds Sports Award for this game.

The bowling was very tight in the ‘Gold Group’ which led to four ducks and some economical figures for the bowlers. Mark and Marshall remained unbeaten on 12 and 11 runs respectively.  Kaisen had the best figures of 1 for 4 runs, followed by Marshall and Ben on 1 for 6, which included a maiden over. Marshall and Tyler also got run0outs and according to Oscar, took a screamer of a catch. Marshall and Ben took home the MacDonalds Sports Awards.

On Sunday morning Home Hill hosted Bowen for the return games from earlier this season. In the Blue game Bowen won the toss and chose to have a bowl. Our highest scorers were Kyle Wilkie and Jude Shannon with 17 runs each. Tyler Smith and Corey Pensini also batted well scoring 12 runs apiece. The pick of our bowlers was Kip Nicholas with an unbelievable spell of bowling taking 6 wickets for only 8 runs, next best was Tait Parker with 2 for 10, which helped Home Hill win the game easily by 36 runs.

The ‘Gold’ game was on the turf wicket of the "Barry Richards Field" and Bowen also won this toss and sent us into bat. Home Hill batted steadily and patiently to post a score of 95 after 30 overs.  Our openers Mark Wilkie and Xavier Cross combined for a 25 run partnership before Mark was bowled for 12. Kaisen Petersen top scored not out with 18 valuable runs batting at six. Bowen also got off to a steady start, losing their first wicket when the score was 13. Four quick wickets soon after had them 5 for only 20 and in real trouble. After the great start in the field by Home Hill the heat and humidity took its toll on our bowlers and too many wides and no balls let Bowen back into the game to only need 9 runs to win in the last over with no wickets in hand. It went down to the last ball where they needed 2 runs.   legside full toss saw the Bowen batter smash it to the boundary for a four and win the game. Home Hill's best bowler was Ben Watkins with 2 for 8 and Marshall Parker took 2 catches.

Home Hill junior cricketeers vs Bowen.
Blue group aports award winner, Kip.
Challengers sports award winners, Claire & Noah.
Gold group and dual sports award winners, Ben & Marshall.
Home Hill versus Bowen junior cricketeers in action.

In other news