Encouraging signs despite mixed results for under-age sides

IT HAS has been a mixed but encouraging summer for Geelong Premier Cricket’s under-age teams, with strong performances across multiple age groups in ongoing competitions.

The under-18 Girls snuck into fourth place by quotient points and took on Carlton in a semi-final on Tuesday this week.

With a spot in the grand final on the line, the Cats went down to the Blues by eight wickets.

After being sent out to bat first, Carlton put the pressure on early with the ball and had Geelong at 3-7 after eight overs.

They were unable to recover from their early struggles, finishing all out for 129. The Blues cruised to the target score in the 38th over.

Annie Taylor led all Cats run scorers with 291 across the tournament and Eve Righetti took 11 wickets, the most for her side.

Geelong’s under-18 Boys currently sit fourth and can lock in a quarter-final berth with a victory in their final match on Sunday (January 25) against the sixth-placed Richmond.

Depending on other results, they may still qualify for the finals with a loss, however securing the win would make it certain.

The under-15 Girls and under-16 Boys sides finished up their campaigns last week, with both sides unfortunately missing out on finals pursuits.

Competing for a second consecutive Marg Jennings Cup, the under-15 Girls were unable to defend their title, finishing the tournament in sixth position with a 3-4 record.

Opener Rhyder Zdybel impressed with the bat across the seven matches, hitting 237 runs including an unbeaten 101 in their last match against Prahran.

Olive Cruden, Trisha Kharbanda and Milla Mitchell led all wicket-takers with six each for the tournament.

The under-16 Boys won just two matches across their campaign for the WJ Dowling Shield after making last year’s grand final.

Harry Lindsay, brother of recently drafted West Coast Eagle Josh, made 257 runs across the tournament and averaged 51.4.

Dominic Dementiev took eight wickets; the most for the Cats.