VICTORY for Sunraysia’s under-17 and under-15 sides in Mallee Murray Country Week this week has the young stars primed to take on the best of the Northern Rivers area.
Both age groups went through their games this week undefeated in Mildura and Swan Hill.
The under-13 side had been playing over recent weekends, finishing second in their division.
For the first time Sunraysia will join the Northern Rivers Country Week from January 3, taking on the likes of Bendigo, Seymour, Shepparton and Goulburn Murray.
The under-17 side defeated Sunraysia Central on Sunday before winning against Swan Hill on Monday.
Irymple’s Zac Heath played a starring role across the two games, scoring 55 and taking 4/25 in game one before taking another 3/28 in game two.
Gol Gol’s Zac Tankard scored an unbeaten 62 on Monday, Merbein South duo Jackson Malycha (40 in game one) and Kurtis Fitzpatrick (24 game two) both made handy runs, and Coomealla Wentworth’s Tom Stokes nabbed 3/22 in the second contest.
Coach Matt Hunt said there was plenty of talent in the team.
“The boys did a really good job with some great all-round performances,” he said.
“Most of the kids that played in this team have played first or second division cricket for their clubs.
“Some of these kids have shown definite potential that they could play at a higher representative level.”
Hunt said his side, as well as the under-15 and under-13 teams, will give the Northern Rivers competition a red-hot crack.
“We’ll be there to win, the boys don’t want to make up the numbers, and this will be one of their first tastes of competitive cricket outside of the region,” he said.
“I’m not sure the other sides would be happy if an outsider came in to win, but we’d love to do it.”
Sunraysia’s under-15 side put in some strong batting performances in their two wins against Sunraysia Central and and Swan Hill.
Captain Lewis Dichiera of Nichols Point was impressive scoring 50 in the opening game, while Gol Gol’s Oscar Tiley made 35 not out. Mitchell Lindsey followed up with 4/11.
In game two, Mildura Settlers duo Monty Maloney (50) and Beau Kiel (47) led the run scoring.
“It was two really good batting performances, especially in the first game where we probably had the tougher of the conditions and still made 170,” coach Shane Garraway said.
“The next country week is a bit of an unknown for us but I’m sure they’ll have a few Youth Premier League players, like us, taking part.
“The boys performed really well there’s plenty of talent in the side.”
