Northam junior cricket sent an under 12 team to the Peel Junior Cricket Carnival, which was held over the long weekend.
The carnival was played under the new junior format.
There was one 36-over game played each day in various locations in the Peel region.
The first game was played at Shoalwater Oval and to allow for travel the game commenced at 10.30am.
The Northam boys were eager to get started as they are normally almost finished playing by 10.30am in a normal Saturday game.
The boys were expecting some tough competition and they certainly faced some against Busselton/Margaret River.
Northam lost the toss and were sent in the bat.
The conditions were beautiful to start the game, however the sea breeze came in strong and it took the inland boys a bit to adjust to it.
Captain Evan Clements opened the batting and was left hanging without a partner to finish as the top scorer.
Northam bowled well and the wickets were falling - it was coming down to the wire - would Busselton/Margaret River get the runs or would Northam get the final wicket?
Northam got the final wicket with 11 balls to go - Northam 189 defeated Busselton/Margaret River 170.
Northam - best batting - Evan Clements 46 not out; Josh Pallette 32; Tyson O’Driscoll 27
Northam - best bowling - Evan Clements 2/13 off five overs; Jaxon Austin Burns 1/14 off five overs; Max Smith 1/15 off three overs.
Game 2 - Game two was played at Peelwood Parade against Bunbury, who have always had a strong team.
The sea breeze didn’t have as much punch as it did the previous day but the Northam boys were more pumped than the day before and the excitement could be felt on the sidelines.
Once again the captain, this game it was Tyson O’Driscoll, was the highest scorer and finished not out at the completion of Northam's innings. The boys were fierce in the field, with tight bowling and quickly had Bunbury all out within 16 overs to win - Northam 131 defeated Bunbury 68.
Northam - best batting - Tyson O’Driscoll 37; Jaxon Austin Burns 17; Max Smith 16.
Northam - best bowling - Evan Clements 3/3 off three overs; Jaxon Austin Burns 2/9 off three overs; Riley Thorpe 2/12 off two overs.
Game 3 - Game three was on the Labour Day public holiday and if Northam won they would walk away winning the division.
Unfortunately it wasn’t the dream ending with the boys falling way short of a win against Albany.
Northam batted first and it didn’t take Albany long to get the wickets. Within 17 overs Northam had lost all their wickets.
The team started out well but couldn’t get enough early wickets as Albany surpassed Northam's total with only losing three wickets.
Northam 42 was defeated by Albany 6/182.
Northam - best batting - Evan Clements 12 not out.
Northam - best bowling - Jaxon Austin Burns 2/3 off five overs.
Thank you to coach Peter Clements, umpire Scott Romasz and Karen O’Driscoll and Cindy Clements for scoring the games.