The Castlemaine and District Cricket Association (CDCA) Under 15 Boys squad has taken home the trophy for the annual Junior Country Week competition – the J D H McKenzie Cup – for the second year in a row!
Last year, the same Castlemaine team made history for the local association, winning the trophy for the first time since the competition began in 1966.
Conditions were tough this year with temperatures very high across the competition which was scheduled to run from Monday January 5 to Friday January 9.
In fact, it was so hot a game was moved on day two from Wesley Hill to New Gisborne because it was much cooler down south, and Friday’s matches were cancelled due to the catastrophic conditions. But the local side persevered and gave their best despite the scorching weather.
On day one the CDCA hosted Ballarat at Camp Reserve. It was a nail biter of a game, but luckily the boys managed to come out on top Castlemaine DCA 10-132 (Seth Gross 43, Charlie Cordy 39) to Ballarat 10-119 (Noah Maltby 3-19, Blackwood Ulman Jones 2-11).
Day two the top order had a massive collapse against the Grampians with the first seven batters all going out with a total of 28 runs. But then Callum McGee (Muckleford Cricket Club) managed to turn it around and get 40 runs. Blackwood Ulman Jones (Campbells Creek Colts Cricket Club) came in and then Abe Isdale (Muckleford Cricket Club), and together their final wicket partnership made up the 28 runs they needed to tie with Grampians 10-116 apiece before Ulman Jones got out. The pick of the bowlers for Maine were Noah Maltby 3-17 and Abe Isdale 2-7. It was an absolute thrilling game of cricket.
Day three Castlemaine chose to bat first and made a total of 7-171 ( Charlie Cordy 56, Callum McGee 31 not out, Seth Gross 24, Axel Purcell 18) and Gisborne just couldn’t get there, finishing with 10-132 runs (Mitchell Sturgess 3-27, Noah Maltby 2-19) and three overs to go.
Day four the final was cancelled because of the catastrophic weather conditions forecast.
With the highest number of points and finishing atop the ladder Castlemaine took home the trophy.
Although there were some excellent individual performances, ultimately, no one was the absolute star, it really was a fantastic team effort.
Charlie Cordy (Castlemaine United CC) was the second highest run maker in the comp with 99 runs over the tournament, followed by Callum McGee (Muckleford) in 4th place with 75 runs and Seth Gross (Muckleford) in 5th place with 68 runs.
Noah Maltby was the highest wicket taker with 8 wickets, Mitch Sturgess (Campbells Creek CC) took 5 wickets in 7th place and Abe Isdale (Muckleford) in 12th place with 3 wickets.
Captain Jack Archer said he was thrilled with the win.
“I’m rapt to have been part of the sides that have won back-to-back Country Week carnivals. This year being captain was a privilege and to have such a great group of players, coaches and supporters is much appreciated,” Jack said.
Coach Jason Cordy was extremely proud of his players and their efforts in the challenging conditions.
“Whilst there were some excellent individual performances during the week, it was ultimately a great team effort that allowed us to come away with the win,” he said.
“Well done to the boys on their disciplined bowling, valuable batting partnerships when it mattered and strong efforts in the field throughout a very hot week.”
Player Charlie Cordy was delighted to claim another win for CDCA.
“I thought we might struggle against the stronger teams so it was great to beat Gisborne and Ballarat and manage a tie against the Grampians,” he said.