Match-winning partnership sets Illawarra up to face unbeaten St George
Cricket Illawarra's Graeme Burrill shares the coaches' match reports for the weekend of October 18 and 19
U12 Foster Shield Competition vs South Coast, Round 2
A fantastic performance from the Illawarra Under 12s saw them record a comprehensive victory against South Coast in round 2 of the Foster Shield.
Winning the toss and batting first, Illawarra posted a massive 2/408 (40) thanks to our three centurions: Archer Loch-Newinsky 129 (83), Samuel Cooper 100 (74) and Tex McNamara 109* (68).
Opening partnership (Cooper & Lach-Newinsky) of 228.
Third wicket partnership 127 (McNamara 109*, Cohen 25*).
Some tight bowling restricted South Coast to 6/106 (40) in reply. Wickets were shared between Brock Smith, Bede Ryan, Bradley Cohen and Samuel Cooper.
A magnificent performance for the Illawarra Under 12s.
L to R: Under 12s centurions Archer, Samuel and Tex; Blake Cattle and Beau Sergeant going out to bat
Under 17 Watson Shield Competition Round 2 vs Southern Districts
Illawarra travelled to Bowral's historic Bradman Oval for its Round 2 clash against Southern Districts in the U17 Watson Shield.
Illawarra won the toss and batted first. After the loss of opener Beau Sergeant for 5, captain Blake Cattle and Heath Barkley saw off the new ball on a difficult batting pitch and went on to share in a match-winning partnership of 186 before Barkley was dismissed for 46.
Cattle notched his second consecutive century, making 121 off 112 balls (which included 14 4s and 5 6s). It is third consecutive century in the competition after he made a century in last year's final against Sutherland.
Middle order players Chris Wojewodka (24) and Oliver Wright (19) made handy contributions to see Illawarra post 9/276 off its 50 overs.
Southern Districts made a quick start with the bat and were well placed at 1/117 before medium pacer Tom McKinley dismissed both the set batsmen. McKinley (2/25 off 7) was well supported by 14-year-old left-arm wrist spinner Liam Burrill who took 2/22 off 10 straight overs. Spinners Ryder Thomas 2/26 and Lachlan Gray 2/11 also bowled well as Southern Districts fell away to be all out for 190 in the 45th over.
Illawarra coach Mark Johnston said, "Cattle and Barkley batted extremely well to get through the first 10 overs and didn't give a chance to set up a big score. Our bowling was a bit wayward to start but improved after the first drinks break with McKinley and debutant Burrill the most impressive."
Illawarra now faces unbeaten St George at North Dalton Park on Sunday, October 26 in Round 3.
This story is thanks to volunteer coaches and Cricket Illawarra
