Our age group development teams have continued to perform well at various festivals this month with the boys year 9/10 team and the girls U13 team the latest to take part in Levin and Christchurch respectively last week. The year 9/10 boys followed their first day win over Manawatu with another close victory over Horowhenua-Kapiti. Luke Holdaway was again to the fore with a fine 80 before Max Ruffell saw the team to the win with an unbeaten 35. Nathan Brooke-Taylor took 4-40 and was the pick of the bowlers throughout the week. Unfortunately the team were well beaten by Taranaki in the 3rd v 4th place play off game on the final day to finish in 4th place but can certainly be proud of their efforts.
This is the first time Marlborough has entered a girls team in the Christchurch U13 festival and they made a big impact winning 2 of their 5 games and performing well throughout. Highest scores for the week came from Tessa Zillwood (31), Pippa Yuen (29) and Alice Brown (26) while best bowling figures came from Sylvia Small (2-7), Beau Clouston (2-8) and Pippa Yuen (2-16). Thanks to Dave Clouston, Brenna Nation and Rebecca Brooke-Taylor for coaching and managing the team. We look forward to seeing these girls continue to develop in future years.
Top performances in SBS Bank Senior Grade T20 games last week included Kirk Nicholas (46), Jonathan Mackey (6-22), Matthew Stretch (63), Jarrod Englefield (41), Josh Alexander (3-19), Griffin Carter (79), and in 2nd grade T20 games; Jack Holdaway (35), Ben Armstrong (34), Tarin Mason (40no), Simon Muir (4-11), Sam Young (4-20), Andrew McCaa (66), Griffin Carter (44), and Matthew Coxall (4-14). In 3rd grade games Hayden McWilliam (60), Nathan Brooke-Taylor (33 & 3-18) and Ollie Eyles (2-12) all made key contributions.
Mid-week T20 games continue over the next couple of weeks at Senior, 2nd and 3rd grade leading to finals during early February. This Saturday sees the 1st round of the 2nd grade 40 over challenge cup competition which continues each Saturday through to the end of season final in March. WK junior 4th and 5th grades and Harcourts Kiwi grades re-start over the first weekend of February.
At this time of year some players move up to higher grades and clubs review their teams across all of the junior grades. If you are not currently registered for cricket now is a great time to get involved. Either contact one of our clubs direct (details are on the MCA website) or contact MCA Community Cricket Development Manager Eden Pettigrew by email at development@marlboroughcricket.co.nz
Contact Eden also for more information or to register for school holiday programmes running later this week and next week or visit the MCA facebook page for details.