Sport

Junior cricket ǀ Gallery ǀ Shepparton United triumphs in under-14 B-grade season opener

By James Kleeman

Nov 15, 2022

Carving out runs: Shepparton United’s Moin Ali cuts away. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Boundaries were struck and wickets taken on Saturday in the return of the Cricket Shepparton junior season.

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Shepparton United got its season off to a flyer in under-14 B-grade with a thrilling 18-run win over Old Students on Saturday morning at Kialla Park.

Superb batting displays from United’s Manjot Rana (31 not out) and Usman Hassan (24) steered their side to a commanding 127-run total.

Tricky customer: Old Students’ Roy Trickey goes through the motions. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Old Students’ Hamish McKenzie was lethal with ball in hand and snagged three wickets for six runs to keep his side in the hunt.

In reply, Old Students’ bats William Mathers (21) and Noah Sabri (20) produced elegant knocks at the top of the order, but some sublime bowling courtesy of Gurmanjot Singh (3-5) ensured Students couldn’t get going.

Mooroopna, Nagambie and Notre Dame-St Brendan’s rounded out the other B-grade victors.

Full force: Old Students’ Will Mathers fires it back to the keeper. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Meanwhile, the under-14 A-grade sides embarked on day one of their two-day clashes before they go again this weekend.

Nash Siermans put Northerners in the box seat with a classy 37 runs against Tatura, while Notre Dame-St Brendan’s put 103 on the board for Old Students to chase this Saturday.

Keep the ball moving: Old Students' Noah Sabri. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Some swashbuckling batting from Euroa’s Oliver Wilson (40) and Jack Walters (31) put the Magpies in command with 160 on the board and three wickets in hand.

Notre Dame-St Brendan’s (9-197) is in control against Euroa in under-16 A-grade thanks to Max Hooper and Ethan Beck half-centuries, while Ashton Young (44 not out), Oscar Lambourn (43 not out) and Andre Gagliardi (40) blasted Old Students to 5-237 on day one against Mooroopna.