Intermediate Boys win cricket LMR finals

SCHOOL SPORT VICTORIA – LODDON MALLEE REGION FINAL

Intermediate Boys

On Wednesday 2 November, our Intermediate Boys Cricket team contested the LMR final at Club Court Strathfieldsaye against St Mary’s of the Angels Secondary College, Nathalia.

After winning the toss, CMC elected to bat and got off to a rocky start. The Nathalia bowlers made excellent use of the swinging conditions with CMC unable to put together any significant partnerships. CMC were bowled out for 109 in the 20th over, with Hugh Behrens (24) and Judd Gilchrist (17) the best of the batters.

Nathalia got off to a hot start with the bat, looking like they would cruise to victory with 0-50 off the first 9 overs. Some tight middle overs from Kyen Burrill-Grinton and Hugh Behrens saw CMC wrestle back momentum, causing a flurry of wickets thanks to some excellent outfield catching. The boys held their nerve towards the back-end of the innings in a seesawing affair where both teams had a legitimate opportunity to win. Tobie Travaglia had the honour of bowling the decisive final over and CMC finished the victors by just 4 runs, qualifying for the State Quarter Final to be played later in the afternoon.

STATE QUARTER FINAL

The Quarter Final was played against Hume Anglican Grammar from Craigieburn, with the latter winning the toss and electing to bowl. CMC got off to a much better start with the bat allowing Tobie Travaglia to anchor the innings and produce some wonderful stroke play in his half-century. Some excellent running between the wickets and outstanding power hitting from Xavier Grant, boosted CMC’s score to 6/147.

In reply, Hume got off to a flying start with their captain displaying some outstanding stroke play and the visitors racing past 50 runs in no time. His departure proved to be the turning point thanks to the safe hands of Gus Hay in the deep. A more disciplined bowling effort by the CMC boys saw them pile on the wickets, causing the run rate to climb significantly – proving too much for the opposition. CMC won the match by 23 runs in an entertaining game of cricket.

The boys have now qualified for the State semi-finals to be played on Friday 11 November in Melbourne.

Back L-R: Hamish McNamara, Hugh Behrens, Declan Stevenson, Archer Day-Wicks, Wil Pinniger, Tobie Travaglia, Taj Taylor
Front L-R: Gus Hay, Angus O’Brien, Judd Gilchrist, Xavier Grant, Kyen Burrill-Grinton