Unbeaten Illawarra Batter Their Rivals

Illawarra Mercury

Thursday February 14, 2008

By MIKE DRISCOLL

THE Illawarra under 15 cricket team recently returned from Orange as the western country champions after going through the carnival unbeaten.

Illawarra won four games and had a number of worthy contributors with bat and ball.

First up Illawarra had a win over the Parramatta-based independent school Kings, set up by a brilliant 119 from Geordie Crawford in a total of 3-231.

Mitchell Calder made an unbeaten 66 and Matthew McKenzie 33, with Ben Toussis taking 4-24 as Illawarra rolled the Kings School for 178.

In their next match, Illawarra bowled out Orange-based boarding school Kinross Wolaroi for only 95 and reached the target without losing a wicket.

Once again Geordie Crawford starred, making an unbeaten 44, which was backed up by Matthew McKenzie's unbeaten 39.

Jack Daskey (3-15) and Jake Gomboso (2-10) did a great job with the ball.

In game three Dubbo set Illawarra a competitive total of 160, which they reached with six wickets in hand.

Toby English top-scored for Illawarra with an unbeaten 55, with Ben Toussis (36no) also taking two wickets.

In their final game of the carnival Illawarra took on neighbours Shoalhaven and once again showed why they were the best batting team at the carnival.

Shoalhaven were bowled out for 211, Illawarra making the target with five wickets in hand.

Geordie Crawford (46), Mitchell Calder (58) and Saxon Wright (44) top-scored for Illawarra, while John Zwolak (3-27), Toussis (2-29) and Jake Gomboso (2-28) bowled well.

The tournament proved a great success for Illawarra, with young coaches Brad Haines and Brent Dawson doing a great job of getting the best out of the team.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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