Mooroopna played host to an extraordinary opening game of the 2023 Northern Rivers Junior Country Week carnival.
Cricket Shepparton’s under-17 girls pulled off a classic 21-run win out of nothing thanks to some individual brilliance from the association’s emerging stars.
Defending a par score of 138 against Gisborne District Cricket Association, Cricket Shepparton looked down for the count with 10 overs left in the contest.
The away side needed 36 more runs to clinch a round one win over their 2022 grand final conqueror — but some late drama had Gisborne lose a staggering 7-10 to be bundled out for 117.
It began with Cricket Shepparton’s talented all-rounder Alyse O’Connell — fresh off her memorable and crucial half-century in the morning — who dismissed Elizabeth Crump thanks to the safe hands of skipper Mia Earl.
Skilful bowler Eloise Walker stepped up to the plate to provide an almighty spark.
Walker struck the stumps to secure her first wicket, before she popped up in the following over with a superb run-out.
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Walking on sunshine: Eloise Walker celebrates a wicket. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 2 of 18
Party time: Cricket Shepparton celebrates a wicket. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 3 of 18
Straight through: Gisborne’s Zara Shinn-Mahoney is bowled by Bella Woods. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 4 of 18
Winding up: Cricket Shepparton’s Mia Earl. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 5 of 18
Howzat? Cricket Shepparton’s Ava Wood. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 6 of 18
Out: Gisborne’s Charli Laity is bowled by Bella Woods. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 7 of 18
Steaming in: Cricket Shepparton’s Eloise Walker. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 8 of 18
Having a ball: Cricket Shepparton's Jackson Crouch charges in. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 9 of 18
Off the bat: Seymour’s Matthew Wal makes contact. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 10 of 18
Keeper: Cricket Shepparton's Levi Berry cushions the ball. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 11 of 18
In the field: Cricket Shepparton's Bohdi Lee throws the ball. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 12 of 18
Happy days: Cricket Shepparton celebrates a wicket. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 13 of 18
Rolling the arm over: Cricket Shepparton's Bailey Chenery in action. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 14 of 18
Game face: Cricket Shepparton's Usman Hassan in the field. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 15 of 18
Making runs: Seymour’s Louis McAlpin is on the move. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 16 of 18
Upping the ante: Seymour's Harrison Wood makes a run. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 17 of 18
Round the field: Cricket Shepparton's Tait Buckland passes the ball. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 18 of 18
Team talk: Seymour’s Harrison Wood and Louis McAlpin talk tactics. Photo by Rechelle ZammitUnder-17 coach Michael Van Dorsser credited Walker’s contribution in three of the final seven wickets to help the hosts secure victory.
The pressure had reached tipping point by the time damaging opening quick Bella Woods began her fifth and, ultimately, final over of the match.
Woods secured the last three scalps with her last four deliveries to help Cricket Shepparton kick-start its title defence in style.
Meanwhile, Cricket Shepparton was able to pencil in three more victories on the first day of the carnival.
The under-16s defeated Murray Valley Cricket Association thanks to a stellar unbeaten 62 from Sam O’Brien.
The opener crafted his half-century from 79 deliveries on his home deck at Kialla as Cricket Shepparton posted 225.
Some potent bowling from Will Trower (3-24) and Oscar Lambourn (2-5) helped restrict MVCA to 107.
Kaleb Gilmour and Jake Davidson were the two standout stars for Cricket Shepparton in the under-15s’ eight-wicket triumph over Goulburn Murray Cricket.
Gilmour was the first to shine at Deakin Reserve with outstanding figures of 5-11, while Davidson was sublime with an unbeaten 62 from 54 deliveries.
Lastly, the under-13A outfit held on for a thrilling 10-run win over MVCA at Tatura.
A stellar bowling effort, led by James Mawson (3-3), had Cricket Shepparton bundle out the visitor for 70 runs.
The under-14s suffered a narrow 19-run loss to Bendigo District Cricket Association, while the two local representative sides in under-13B suffered defeats.