Sport
12 February, 2024
Warracknabeal win inaugural junior cricket cup
The Hopetoun Cricket Ground Played host to the first of hopefully many Junior cricket interleague games on Sunday February 11th, with the Warracknabeal District Cricket Association coming away with a very narrow victory over the Ouyen Association in hot but clear weather on the weekend.
The coin toss was won by Warracknabeal Captain Jackson Moore who elected to take to the field and bowl. The decision proved to be looking the correct one in the early overs with both opening bowlers taking crucial wickets.
The first breakthrough was made by Chad Hartnett in the second over. This was followed up with another after a great catch taken in the deep by Charlie Williams.
The Ouyen team collapsed to be 6 for 33 at one point before some very disciplined batting from their lower-order players. N. Hamilton led the comeback with a lovely 22 not out at number six. He was well supported by all the lower-order batsmen including a tidy 16 runs from number 10 batter N. Singleton.
Ouyen was finally bowled out in the 40th and final over for a respectable total of 115 Runs. Warracknabeal Vice Captain Chad Hartnett finished the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 18 from 8 overs alongside Jackson Moore who was sharp taking 3 for 21 from his 8 overs.
The Warracknabeal batting innings was also shaky early, losing opener Jackson Moore in the second over, and a little later Oliver Holland for 2 when the score was just nine runs. Max Roberts and Spencer Williams put together a timely 45-run partnership before two runouts in two balls pushed momentum back toward Ouyen.
Spencer Williams continued to be the anchor of the innings for Warracknabeal batting around the middle and lower-order batters. Parker Hallam was good support with eight runs, however, it was the late-order cameo knock of 15 not out from Chad Hartnett that eventually got Warracknabeal over the line by the barest of margins with only one wicket in hand.
Player of the day was Warracknabeal’s opener, Spencer Williams making an unbeaten 57*. This wonderful innings included retiring at 50 and returning to the crease at the end of the innings following the fall of the second last wicket when 5 runs were still required.
Unbelievably, the victory was sealed with an Ouyen wide ball and the lost over was finished allowing a total of 122 to be made securing the win.
WDJCA Secretary Graeme Holland began the presentation proceedings by thanking the Ouyen team and all parents for traveling to Hopetoun for the game.
“It's a credit to both the Ouyen and Warracknabeal players for the wonderful sportsmanship and manner in which they played the game today in hot conditions,” Graeme said.
Graeme expressed that a big thank you must go to the Hopetoun School Parents Club for providing a brilliant lunch along with Nathan Williams for running the electronic scoreboard and umpires Tony Cook and Kybe Bellinger.
The day concluded with umpire Tony Cook presenting the Mallee Cup to Warracknabeal captains Jackson Moore and Chad Hartnett.
In Local Junior cricket on Saturday, Feb 10, the Warrack Stars Won the toss and batted first compiling 106 Runs. The Giants require 107 next week when the round seven game continues.