Goulburn Murray Cricket saw two sides qualify for Northern Rivers Junior Country Week grand finals with the under-17 boys and under-14 girls powering into last Friday’s deciders.
And while neither side came away with the chocolates, a starring performance from Bamawm-Lockington United player Sophie Good rounded out an improved showing from Goulburn Murray in the representative tournament.
In a rematch of the 2022 under-14 girls grand final against Gisborne District Cricket Association, Goulburn Murray set out to make amends for last year’s defeat, led by Good with the ball.
Good saved her best bowling for the final day, snaring 5-7 off seven overs in a blistering display, helping to restrict Gisborne to 8-166.
But Good’s exploits with the ball proved to be one of the few highlights as Goulburn Murray was bowled out for 52 in reply, with no batters progressing into double figures.
For the under-17s, their time in the orange of the GMC came to an end with a four-wicket defeat to Sunraysia Cricket Association.
Batting first, Goulburn Murray’s batsmen made promising starts with their innings but failed to capitalise, with Kyabram’s Cohan Hooper top-scoring with 32 in the total of 141.
Nicholas Jephson struck early with the ball and Zac Hegarty claimed 2-29 to keep GMC in the contest, but a half-century to Sunraysia’s Lewis Dichiera saw the league safely navigate the run chase with just six wickets down.