APCC Under 11 Golds: Round 3 vs Shellharbour White

Round 3 for the Albion Park Cricket Club Under 11 Gold team was an away trip to Pioneer Park to play the Shellharbour White team, and despite another loss there was a lot of terrific and exciting things to happen for the side.

Captain Kane Rex won the toss, elected to bat and also decided to elevate himself to the opening position – no need for a coaches input. The team batted their 20 overs for a score of 5/78, three less wickets than last week, a good improvement. Kane scored five runs in a good partnership with Blake Ison who scored 18 runs. Josh Peters continued his good form from last week to post 15 runs, and played what his coach though was the shot of the day – a forward defensive stroke to a ball on the stumps. Perhaps he’s learning.

The best partnership of the day came from Max Sciberras and Bohdie Rodda, who not only ran well together but played some lovely strokes. Max’s back foot cover drive was an absolute delight in his total of 4, and Bohdie doubled his highest ever score from just last week, scoring 2. Lucas Brown was unfortunate in that he hit several shots right out of the middle and along the ground, but straight to fieldsmen. His 2 deserved a lot more. At the tail Charlotte Rodda also looked solid and was not afraid to get behind the ball, and also played a couple of nice straight drives. It is good to see the improvement in these kids each week, especially in their calling and running between the wickets. No mix ups today, and lots of good fast singles.

Against a strong Shellharbour White batting line up, who scored 4/114, the Albion Park Gold kids never gave in, and did some marvellous things. Kane Rex managed to get a wicket where the batsman had edged the ball above his head, yet as the pair were completing the run the ball had bounced and spun back onto the wickets for the batsman to be dismissed bowled. Not many people have seen that before, and I’m dubious they will see it again soon. Lucas Brown pulled off a stunning caught and bowled, the catch being taken with the ball already past him and over his head, and taking it one handed. A beauty.

The fielding was superb, and almost makes you believe that training actually works. But it only works if the kids buy into it and make it their mantra, and these seven have done that magnificently. Each time the ball was hit they chased after it hard, the keeper ran to the stumps, the bowler ran to their wickets, and the fielders backed. Today there was no overthrows, there was two almost-direct-hit throws by Kane and Max that would have been out, and two excellent run outs in the same over, the first one from Kane to Bohdie and the second from Blake to Josh. The ground fielding today was a treat to watch. Three tough catches were grassed, two off Josh’s leg spin bowling, but it was also impressive to see the bowlers beginning to get edges to balls, Kane, Blake and Max especially.

With penalties added the final score was Shellharbour White 134 to Albion Park Gold 94, but the game didn’t feel that far apart. Catching practice and eliminating so many no balls are still the aims for next week. Once again the parents support on the sidelines was loud and positive, and hopefully we can reward them win a win soon.