By Hayley Wildes
WGCA JUNIOR GRADES
REVIEW – GRAND FINALS
It was the biggest weekend on the WGCA calendar and the junior grand finals on Saturday and Sunday were yet another example of the impressive talent coming through the local ranks.
UNDER 16s
In the U16-1 red competition, Kooweerup – who only lost one game all season – was far too strong for Pakenham Blue.
After electing to bat, the Demons got fine contributions from Josh Grogan (54), Jesse Depasquale (35) and Matthew Voss (30) on their way to a big total of 210 in 28.5 overs.
In reply, Pakenham Blue was never in the hunt as Kooweerup’s bowlers took total control, led by Archie Whitta (4/15) who was extremely dangerous in his five overs. The Lions were dismissed for just 69 runs in 24 overs as the Demons claimed the premiership.
Meanwhile, the U16-2 white grand final between Pakenham Maroon and Cranbourne Meadows was an absolute thriller.
The Lions batted first and struggled to make runs as Shiv Patel (2/8) and Ricky Mitchell (2/10) bowled well. With Lochlan Clarke (16 not out) and Luke Wilson (17) top scoring, Pakenham managed just 65 runs before being dismissed.
To Pakenham’s credit, they didn’t give up and their bowlers shone bright to get them home after dismissing Cranbourne Meadows for 63 runs in 19 overs to claim a nail-biting win. Ricky Mitchell (16) top scored for the Rebels, while Jayden Vela (2/10) was the pick of the Lions bowlers.
UNDER 14s
Tooradin claimed a stirring win over Devon Meadows in the U14-1 red grand final.
The Panthers elected to bat first and a strong opening partnership of 44 runs between William Halton (40) and Seth Harris (14) looked to have set up the innings. But the Seagulls had other ideas as Seth O’Hehir (3/9) and Jack Mannix (3/13) bowled brilliantly to help dismiss Devon Meadows for 132 runs.
In reply, six of Tooradin’s batsmen made double figures, led by Jack Mannix (26 not out), Tyler Evans (22) and Liam Simpson (21), to see the Seagulls claim the premiership with a total of 5/134 in 35 overs.
Carlisle Park 1 claimed the U14-2 green premiership after piling on the runs against Pakenham Blue.
The Vikings elected to bat first and an opening partnership of 88 runs, courtesy of Copper Gray (30) and Vinith Imayavasan (30), had Carlisle Park on the front foot from the outset.
Middle order contributions from Ryan Zealley (29 not out) and Robert Fuller (25) kept the Vikings’ scoreboard ticking over and they eventually finished with a total of 6/170 in 40 overs. Fletcher Davis (3/21) battled hard for the Lions.
In reply, the Vikings restricted the Viking to a total of 9/122 in 40 overs as Nikhil Girish (3/8) and Robert Fuller (2/6) were in superb form.
UNDER 12s
Upper Beaconsfield Blue was too strong for Officer Gold in the U12-1 red grand final.
Officer Gold was sent into bat first and if it wasn’t for a valiant effort from Jude Owen (44), the Bullants wouldn’t have made triple figures. Christopher Rigoni (2/16) led a Maroons attack that had seven individual wicket-takers as they dismissed Officer for 102 runs.
In reply, Upper Beaconsfield Blue reached the required runs for the loss of four wickets in 24 overs as Ben Devenish (43 not out) put on an absolute show, smashing seven boundaries.
Pakenham Maroon was sent into bat by Cranbourne Meadows in the U12-2 green grand final and successfully defended its total.
The Lions were led by Tarrant Millar (38) as they recorded a total of 111. The star of the first innings was Rebel Duke Miller (5/7), who produced three dominant overs to ensure Pakenham’s total was a slender one.
It wasn’t enough for the Rebels though, dismissed for 97 runs in 30 overs. Andrew Grayson (23) top scored for Cranbourne Meadows, while Harry Motton (5/9) was the match-winner in a brutal five-over spell of bowling.
Gembrook chased down Tooradin White’s first innings total to claim the U12-3 white premiership.
Tooradin White elected to bat first and openers Hunter Lewis (19 not out) and Darcy Freeman (19) top scored for the Seagulls as they recorded a total of 5/129 in 30 overs.
In reply, the Brookers got an incredible and match-winning knock from Brayden Allcott (56), who was well-supported by Lachlan Taylor (25 not out), to get home with a total of 5/130 with two overs to spare.
For all of the junior premiership team shots, pick up a copy of next week’s Gazette.
