Sport
15 January, 2024
Horsham U17 representative team runners up in Country Week
Max Bunworth's all-round performance, Dezi Carter and James Officer's consistent run scoring and Gibson Perry's blistering spell of 4/4 were just some of the highlights for the Horsham Cricket Associations under 17s representative team in country week.
They won three of their five games which put them into the Grand Final against Warrnambool Blue on Friday where they lost by six wickets in a hard fought match.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Brodie Foster 26 and Monty Wynne 40 started well with a 59 run opening stand.
When they fell, the middle order struggled, but James Officer 33 and Gibson Perry 33* helped guide them to a total of 173.
They defended well, really pressuring Warrnambool as they chased the total down in the 49th over. Gibson Perry 2/19, Xavier Shevlin 1/28 and Max Bunworth 1/29 were the wicket takers.
They started their week off on Monday, January 8 against Hamilton. Due to rain the match was reduced to 25 overs and Dezi Carter 34 and Max Bunworth's unbeaten 55 guided them to 134.
In reply, Bunworth 3/9 and Baxta Jake Hendy 2/12 were the standouts as they restricted Hamilton to 87.
They lost to Warrnambool Gold on Tuesday. Jackson Hoffmann 2/53 and James McNeil 2/18 were the standouts in the bowling whilst Monty Wynne 35 and James Officer 33 stood out with the bat.
Wednesday saw a T20 double header against Portland and Wimmera Mallee. Gibson Perry produced an electrifying spell of 4/4 (4) with two maidens. Xavier Shevlin's 2/4 was also a highlight in the win. Brodie Foster 46 and Dezi Carter's unbeaten 35 led Horsham to an eight wicket win.
Against Wimmera Mallee, Max Bunworth scored 41 in their total of 113 off 20 overs. With the ball, Jackson Hoffmann 2/10 and Xavier Shevlin 2/16 helped restrict Wimmera Mallee to 85 and a win by 28 runs.
Max Bunworth captained the side and was the star of the week with 114 runs and five wickets. Dezi Carter 96, James Officer 93 were consistent and Monty Wynne 87 also did well with the bat.
Gibson Perry led the way with seven wickets and scored 49 runs whilst Jackson Hoffmann was consistent with the ball finishing with six wickets.
Bunworth praised his team for their effort during the week.
"It was a good effort to get that far," he said.
"I have never played in a grand final in country week. To compete with Warrnambool was really good.
"Everyone played well. It was a great team effort."
When asked about Perry's electrifying spell, Bunworth said it was brilliant.
"He was on fire. The ball was swinging and he ripped through them. It was great to see," he said.