IN SCENES reminiscent of the Australian men’s team this summer, both Armidale junior representative cricket games on Sunday featured stubborn lower-order batting partnerships to steer their sides to victory.
Armidale defeated Coonabarabran/Quirindi sides in the penultimate round of the Northern Inland Representative competition.
A seventh-wicket partnership between Jacob Fernandez (81 not out) and Kareena Dawson (21) rescued the under-12s from a dire position when they were 7/60 after just 17 overs.
Fernandez and Charlie Rutledge (28 not out) further strengthened the team’s position for the eighth wicket and Armidale finished on 8/215 after 40 overs.
“It cannot be understated the fighting quality of Jacob and Kareena when we were in a very difficult situation,” coach Andrew Page said.
Armidale then bowled the opposition out for 47 in just 18 overs.
Rutledge took 3/6, Vincent Marshall nabbed 2/2 and Ben Friend claimed 2/12.
Across town at the Sportsground, the under-14s were fighting a similar battle. Armidale succumbed to the heat and were floundering at 8/115 from 26 overs until a solid last-wicket stand of 64 between Jack Berry (75 not out) and Lucas Atkin (22 not out) saved the day.
Armidale finished on 9/199, doggedly batting its 50 overs.
The bowlers didn’t disappoint, bowling Coona/Quirindi out in the 32nd over for just 90.
“The boys really played like a team today and showed they are capable of batting all the way down the order”, coach Michael Dennis said.
Liam Neeson made 32 with the bat, while the best of the bowlers was Jack Carey, who took 2/12.
“Everyone who bowled took a wicket and there were some good catches taken – it was an all-round team effort in the end”, Dennis said.
The junior rep teams travel to Narrabri this weekend for the final round of competition.
“It will be an important game for the under-14s who can still make the final if they beat Narrabri on Sunday,” Dennis said.
