HORSHAM Cricket Association’s under-13 team kicked off its country week campaign in Portland with strong wins against Hamilton Gold and Portland on Monday before a change of fortunes on Tuesday.
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Coach Chris Hopper said he had been impressed by his team on the opening two days.
“The fielding of the team has been great,” he said.
“That aspect of their performance has really highlighted how important good fielding is, especially in this kind of format.”
The side was in top form in its opening match on the way to a 117-run win against Hamilton Gold.
After deciding to bat first, Blake Downer, Jett Hopper, Connor Weidemann, Logan Miller and Cameron Newell scored more than 20 runs.
The side’s batting depth allowed it to end its 25 overs at 4-167.
Eleven bowlers were used during the Hamilton side’s run chase and none of them were hit for more than seven runs of two and three over spells.
The tight bowling ensured batsmen found it difficult to get runs and the side finished its 25 overs at 7-50.
Hopper and Weidemann each claimed two wickets, while Saxon Souness, Jeremy Kemp and Iggy Kearns each chipped in with one wicket each.
Another strong batting performance set the side up for victory in its second game.
Downer and Will Drummond each reached 23 after opening the batting before Hopper and Weidemann retired after hitting 32 and 30 respectively.
Several other batsmen chipped in through the middle of the innings as the side managed to again score at more than six-runs an over.
After being set a big target of 157 to win, Portland’s top order gave it a chance early before its batting depth fell away late.
Drummond, Weidemann, Miller, Will Gellatly, Jackson Hoffman and Kemp each claimed one wicket while good fielding also created four run outs.
The host association’s innings ended with the team 62 runs behind Horsham’s total.
Tuesday morning’s game against Warrnambool Blue went right down to the last over as the team of young Horsham cricketers could not quite defend its total of 97.
Hopper, 28, and Drummond, 17, set the standard with the willow for the side when it batted first.
A big opening partnership set the run chase up for Warrnambool Blue.
The side’s first wicket fell with the score on 49.
Four quick wickets fell with the side stuck in the 60s but it managed to recover to win with four wickets in hand after scores were level at the start of the final over.
Souness, Weidemann, Hoffman and Noah Horvat each claimed single wickets in the game.
“The kids that are underage have been really good,” coach Hopper said. “Look out for the years to come, they’ll be really great.”
Coach Hopper said Hoffman and Weidemann had been particularly good.
“I wasn’t aware how young Connor was because he is still only 11,” he said.
“He is going to be an absolute star and Hoffman has bowled well. The senior kids have also had a good start to the week.
“Jett has smashed them around a bit while Will Drummond has done well as captain.”
