Murray Cricket Council under-17 captain Chris Bridle accepts the Keith Sherwill Shield from tournament director Neil Gregg. Picture: MATTHEW SMITHWICK
MURRAY Cricket Council took out the Keith Sherwill Shield without a ball being bowled yesterday.
In an anti-climatic end to their North East Country Week campaign, the undefeated line-up was automatically awarded the under-17 title after receiving a forfeit from Benalla.
While team manager Peter Bridle said it was pleasing to win after earlier victories against Wangaratta and Cricket Albury-Wodonga, he admitted the forfeit had left a slightly shallow feeling in the camp.
“It would have been nice to have played, but that’s how it goes,” Bridle said.
“Even though we didn’t play a lot of cricket this week, the boys did well.
“They are a good group and a lot of them have come through this competition together.”
Murray’s Matt Crawshaw, Darcy I’Anson and Chris Bridle will play for the North East Knights in the state championships in Melbourne next week under the coaching of St Patrick’s skipper Heath Naughton.
In yesterday’s other under-17 match, Corowa batsman Damien Wilson capped off a sensational week by scoring a century against winless Cricket Albury-Wodonga at Yackandandah.
Two days after making 126 against Benalla, the talented all-round sportsman returned to the crease and blazed 101 not out in his team’s comfortable 100-run win.
“Damien batted beautifully again,” team manager John Dodd said.
“He didn’t give a chance.
“You don’t see too many players make two centuries in a week.
“The boys played well over the three matches and it was good to finish off with a win today.”
Wangaratta batted first and made 7-251 with Wilson, Jack Davies (46) and Callum Nankervis (39) the mainstays.
CAW lost early wickets in the chase but stuck to their guns, with Alex Packer (33) and Rohan Arora (27) batting well.