Murray Valley batter Archer Chellew had a strong day out on the big stage to deliver his side the goods.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Cricket Shepparton had one side left standing when grand final day rolled around in another edition of Northern Rivers Junior Country Week.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The January staple reached its conclusion on Thursday as all age levels, some of which had experienced washouts earlier in the week, took to the big dance for regional supremacy.
Closest to home was the under-14 boys final at Deakin Reserve involving Murray Valley Cricket Association and Goulburn Murray Cricket.
GMC keeper Angus Clyne calmly scoops a delivery up.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 2 of 10
MVCA's Archer Chellew and Riley Thompson feasted during a half-century partnership.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 3 of 10
GMC's Max Stockdale was good value in the field with a catch and a run out.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 4 of 10
GMC's Landyn Maher helped slow the MVCA's roll with a wicket.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 5 of 10
MVCA's Riley Thompson was highly influential early on.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 6 of 10
MVCA's Riley Thompson tries playing to a clever angle.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 7 of 10
GMC's Harry Rasmussen claimed a couple of handy wickets.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 8 of 10
GMC's Archie Sheppard quickly returns to his mark.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 9 of 10
MVCA's Archer Chellew looks to drive one long.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Image 10 of 10
GMC's Archie Sheppard assess the ball between deliveries.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
The GMC contingent had its fingerprints all over grand final day in a stellar overall showing for the district, but it wasn’t to be in Shepparton.
Tocumwal’s Archer Chellew top-scored for Murray Valley with 37 out of the gate as the top order fired on all cylinders in setting Goulburn Murray 144 for victory.
Charlie Pekin of Kyabram Fire Brigade attempted to keep the chase on track with a patient top-scoring 29 off 66 deliveries, but a well-balanced bowling effort led by Katamatite’s Archie Paterson (2-14 off seven overs) kept things tight as Murray Valley prevailed by nine runs.
Cricket Shepparton’s main stage was over the border at Barooga, though, meeting the Goulburn Murray boys in an under-14 decider.
Karramomus junior Jack Mellington produced a breakout performance from the top, taking control of proceedings with the bat on his way to a well-earned half-century to provide some guidance.
He was well-supported by fellow young Blood Max Bicknell, who carved out 46 to beautifully supplement scores of 45 and 66 earlier in the week — and defensively, showed off some keeping savvy by completing a stumping later on.
It was a dominant showing on offence for Cricket Shepparton, which posted 5-214 before getting to work with the ball.
Echuca’s Liam Beasley proved a thorn in the bowlers’ sides in crafting out a steady innings to lead things off, but there was less resistance down the order.
His 39 was far and away Goulburn Murray’s best as Nagambie’s Flynn O’Brien demonstrated some all-round class, backing up his unbeaten 27 with three wickets, while Central Park-St Brendan’s prospect Thomas Mellington claimed three of his own.
The contest would soon peter out as Cricket Shepparton once again claimed the top prize in this division, flying out to an 87-run win.
Coach Jason O’Brien couldn’t say enough good things about his side in the aftermath.
“This is three in a row and four in five years for this group of kids,” O’Brien said.
“They’re just a good bunch of kids who listen and are respectful and that says a lot about them and their parents.
“Flynn bowled really well, as he did all series, while Ben O’Connell bowled well all series too.
“You can’t go past Max with what would have been around 150 over the three games and I’m rapt for Jack Mellington in his first Junior Country Week.
“We just have to keep pushing the sport for the young kids to understand what rep cricket is all about; it’s what makes good cricket and gives country kids the chance to be seen by clubs in Melbourne.”
