By David Nagel
History was created at the Upper Beaconsfield Cricket Club on Friday evening with Blake Westra becoming the first player to score a junior century at the club.
The 11-year-old cracked a brilliant unbeaten 110 – off just 62 balls – against Catani in the Under 12 Red competition, an innings studded by 18 glorious boundaries.
Blake opened the batting and retired on 51 not out off his compulsory 35 balls before returning to the crease in the latter stages of the innings.
He received great support from his team-mates, with Shenal Wickramasinghe (18 not out) and Zac Croker (10 not out) playing crucial roles in Blake’s hunt for triple figures.
Blake hit 59 runs from his final 27 balls, the Maroons finishing on 7/200 from their 30 overs in a terrific team performance.
David Westra – who doubles as Blake’s dad and coach – was just as humble as his son after his epic performance.
“I’m very proud of Blake, he’s a humble kid, but he must get his talent from his mum,” David said with a laugh.
“It was great atmosphere out there, I was umpiring at the time and the support Blake received from his team-mates was just enormous. Zac and Shenal batted really well and the atmosphere was amazing, the kids were going crazy on the sidelines.”
Blake is the middle of three brothers, with 14-year-old Joshua and eight-year-old Trent not the only family members with something to aspire to.
“He’s been ripping into his brothers, good naturedly, about being the king of the castle,” said David, who has opened the batting with Blake in the lower senior grades of the WGCA.
“My top score is about 70, so we’ve all got something to aim at now. It’s the only reason I still play, to be out there in the middle with your sons is about as good as it gets.”
Blake, who also opens the batting in the Under 14s, is a talented footballer as well, winning multiple best and fairest awards at the Berwick Junior Football Club.
