THIS annual event has teams from all country regions across WA competing against each other in a talent carnival where players can be selected for further development in their cricket journeys.
Teams consisted of Wheatbelt, Mid-West, Goldfields, Great Southern and South West (with some players from the North West/Kimberly areas). Each day had three games, which were held at Bert Hawke reserve in Northam and the Toodyay town oval across the March long weekend.
Day 1 results: Wheatbelt all out for 130 in the 47th over, defeated by South West Black all out for 142 in the 36th over. Happy with the boy’s efforts; being 9/95 the tail wagged with Fraser Sutherland and Brock Pockran putting on a 35-run partnership for the last wicket. In our bowling we had the South West Black team 8/123 in the 27th over, so it got very close. But at least we bowled a team out and only lost by 12 runs. Batting: Jay Sewell 38, Fraser Sutherland 15 and Tom Munns 14. Bowling: Fraser Sutherland 3/23 off 10, Jack Parmenter 2/7 off 3 and Callum Giles-Morton 2/19 off 3.3.
Day 2 results: Day 2 was a bit different in the scheme of things as I was appointed the assistant coach for the South West Gold team over on Bert Hawke 2, so I still got to see the Wheatbelt boys from across the oval being led by Daniel Gollan and his new assistant for the day Darcy Middleton. From what I could see their bowling started off fantastically. They had the Great Southern losing their first wicket at just one run to being 6/25 off 8. Our two opening bowlers of Fraser Sutherland and Liam Blechynden tore through the Great Southern batting line-up. Although it seemed the opposition had something up their sleeves as they finished all out for 148 off 32.1 overs. The boys may have thought it was going to be an easier win for them as we didn’t go well in our batting, having been all out for just 75 in the 28th over, with the top score as the sundries bowled by the other team. Bowling: Fraser Sutherland 4/39 off 8, Liam Blechynden 3/18 off 8 and Elijah Truscott 2/20 off 5. Batting: Jay Sewell 9.
Day 3 results: After a very early start and pack up the boys got on the bus to go over to the Toodyay oval. Lost the toss and fielded first, managing to bowl the Mid-West 8/119 off the 40 overs. When it came our turn to bat, the boys had in mind the goals they each wanted to achieve. We had a great fourth wicket partnership of 61 runs between Tom Munns and Callum Giles-Morton. Passing the score in the 33rd over as well, giving the Wheatbelt boys their first win for the carnival! Batting: Tom Munns 46, Callum Giles-Morton 30 and Brock Pockran 15. Bowling: Brock Pockran 2/7 off 3, Fraser Sutherland 2/18 off 8 & William Hughes 2/19 off 6.
Lastly, I want to congratulate the players on a great carnival; you’ve done your region proud. Also, to Daniel Gollan for giving up his long weekend to help look after the boys and further his own coaching experience. Greatly appreciated. A massive thank you to the parents who helped with the scoring and getting the boys to and from the carnival. I understand the sacrifices you’ve made and it doesn’t go unnoticed.
Until next season, long live Country Cricket!
