Saturday’s junior cricket began like any other day. The sun shone, the grass twinkled, and the wicket beckoned.
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Players from the Crookwell and Wollondilly Under 12’s sides took to the field, as they do every weekend, excited to begin play and without even an inkling of the carnage that would soon take place at the ground.
The match was scheduled for 30 overs per side – the perfect length to teach children the fundamentals of batting through an innings while keeping the match short enough to let them have Saturday afternoon to themselves.
But for the players in the Crookwell side, it was an opportunity that could not be wasted. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Lacey Cosgrove (34 off 29 balls) and Sam McGregor (50 off 23 balls) set a frenetic pace with an opening partnership of 70.
Off to an excellent start, Crookwell did not let the momentum slip after both openers fell, and young Cameron Morton strode to the wicket with intent which spelt doom for the bowlers.
Playing what Crookwell Junior Cricket committee member Allan Cosgrove described as a “stellar” innings, Cameron crashed, bashed, and slashed his way to 91 runs off 55 deliveries.
Even more impressively, 72 of Cameron’s runs were scored in boundaries, with 12 fours and four sixes.
With able support from the rest of the batting lineup, Cameron dominated the innings and propelled Crookwell to a final score of 6-231 from their 30 overs, at a run rate of nearly eight runs per over.
“There were kids that achieved milestones right throughout the batting order,” Cosgrove said in a report following the match.
In response, Wollondilly could only manage 4-106, which in its own right would be a strong score against most teams. However, it was not nearly enough following the carnage left in Crookwell’s wake.
“I would like to share credit between both teams,” Cosgrove said in his report, “in that Wollondilly can hold their heads high with pride in the effort they put in.
“A great batting display with four not-out batters after 30 overs and typically a score of 106 would be a competitive total. Just on the day, the Crookwell players performed on a grand scale.”
The standout bowlers for Crookwell included Mitchell Lyons, who took 2-7 off four overs, and Lacey Cosgrove and Jason Maloney who took one wicket apiece.
Next weekend, Crookwell will take on St Joseph’s Maroon, who are currently fourth on the ladder, at Carr Confoy Oval Two. The match will begin from 8.30am.