To get to a grand final is one thing, but to potentially be the first local team to win it in 20 years is another.
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After a flawless season in the Mitchell Cricket Inter Town Competition, Mudgee's under 16s representative cricket side have earned themselves a spot in the grand final.
February 16 saw the undefeated squad take 10-138 over Bathurst (72) with some outstanding performances from Connor Whale (30, 1/10 off 5), Ollie Hollow (26), Shubham Sharma (22, 1/2 off 3), Josh Healey (11*), Jack Meredith (10), Tully Myers (1), Ethan Harrison (2), Jordy Richards, Riley Smith (10), Pierson Sibley (2/7 off 3) and Dom Lynn (2/11 off 5).
Although having only posted 3/34 in 17 overs at the start of the match, with the skill and ability the team were able to turn the tables, and Mudgee under 16s representative coach and Mudgee Junior Cricket president Andrew Whale says they couldn't have played better.
"The boys played really well, they batted first and scored a reasonable total of 138 and it was a good effort from batting from the opening to the tail end," Whale said.
"There were some outstanding partnerships in the back end of the innings that got us up to that defendable total...partnerships help build a decent score that gives us a chance of winning the game.
"Yeah, we were off to a shaky start, we lost a few early wickets, and then it was just towards the back end of that innings that we had a couple of players like Connor, Riley and Josh dig in to build the partnerships that got us a good score."
While partnerships have been key in the stunning performances, Whale says one thing that has stood out for him has been the bowling.
"They've been batting really well but I suppose the thing that's really been impressive is the bowling," Andrew said.
All of the games we have played so far, the opposition hasn't scored more than 100.
- Mudgee under 16s representative coach and Mudgee Junior Cricket president, Andrew Whale
"I'm very proud of what they've done and how they've played this year as a team."
Although the boys are feeling rather 'laid back' about it all, Whale says if the team can continue to play how they have been, there's a high chance of taking the crown.
"There probably will be some nerves on the day because you don't get many chances to play in a grand final.
Mudgee's hasn't won the Mitchell under 16s competition for about 20 years so to make the grand final is a great achievement.
"Hopefully we can win the toss, put some runs on the board and then bowl them out under the total, that'll be the plan.
"And, with some good bowling, catching and fielding, we'll hopefully put ourselves in a position to come away with the win.
"Fingers crossed next Sunday they can finish off a great representative season."
Mudgee under 16s representative side will take on Blue Mountains on March 1 at Victoria Park.
Jay-Anna Sleeman
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
