Proserpine Pitbulls Cricket Report

The under 11s brand new Pitbull pups side – the Proserpine Cricket Clubs first time fielding this age group - had their first taste of the Mackay Cricket competition by taking on Brothers in Mackay last Saturday.

After losing the bat flip and being sent into the field, Captain Kobi led his troops with some great bowling (1-10 off four overs) and a spectacular run out assisted by wicket keeper Aiden.

Bradley had the ball on a string (2-15 off 4 overs), and Aiden was looking dangerous (2-8 off 2 overs) who also got a direct hit for a run-out!

Good tight bowling from Jaxson (0-15 off 4 overs) and Matthew (0-7 off 2 overs) kept the Brothers at bay.

Sean (1-21 off 4 overs) came up with a peach to take out the middle stump!

Some quick running between the wickets at the back end of the innings got Brothers to a defendable 9-79 off the 20 overs.

Now it was the Pitbull pups turn to don the pads and swing the willow.

With Aiden (six) and Sean (one) getting off to a steady start, Matthew (five) was next, swinging the bat hard but picking out the fielders. Jaxson eight top scored with some great hitting and running between the wickets. Bradley (seven) was next and played some classy shots.

The required run rate was going up with some tight bowling from Brothers throughout the innings.

Kobi (four) did his best to get the Pitbull pups over the line, but it was a tough ask with the best bowlers coming back on at the end. 10-62 off the 20 overs was the result, 17 runs short.

Player of the day went to Bradley.

The Pitbulls Under 12’s side travelled to Walkerston, facing off at Vigaro Field for round one of their competition, fairer better against the south side.

The Whitsunday young guns faced a formidable task on the road up against a strong Walkerston ‘Scrubbies’ Roosters club.

To add to the challenge, the local team were a player short, had several on debut in the Mackay Saturday competition, and were also fielding a young, inexperienced side which included two 10-year-old tyro’s.

Pitbull Captain Ollie Dibben lost the toss and the gun Walkerston team elected to bowl.

The ever-reliable Shannon Matthews and Captain Dibben strode to the crease to open the season.

After a 9-run opening stand, the captain played a shot across the line and lost his middle stump, out for two.

Alex Valmadre then joined Shannon at the crease and settled the ship before retiring with Noah Porter, the first of the young tyro’s, making his debut straight after.

The youngster too elected to play across the line and was quickly on his way back to the sheds for five.

Lily Smith then strode to the crease to face some hostile Scrubbie bowling. She and Alex V defied the attack until Lily copped a good one and was on her way. Alex V then retired after his 20 balls to see the underdogs at 3-64.

The second of the young tyro’s, Korbin Dibben, made his way to the middle with Benny Hope, aka ‘Starky’.

Starky and Korbin pushed the score along against some tight bowling, with Korbin retiring after his 20 deliveries.

All-rounder Reg Davies then made his way to the middle. Under attack, he fought hard but was ultimately the victim of a sharp caught and bowled chance, out for two.

Big Starky soon followed for three leaving the two retirees together to push the score along.

Alex V was then dismissed for 10 which saw young Korbin return; he and Shannon then took the score to 89 before he was given out lbw for 10, closing the innings and leaving the brave youngster unbeaten on 1 after facing 23 balls.

It was a competitive score at 89, but the Pitbulls knew it would be tough against a strong Scrubbies batting unit.

Starky Hope began the bowling, destroying the Scrubby openers castle with his fourth delivery.

Despite some tight bowling, it was 3-67 at the break and on-track for a regulation victory for Walkerston.

Alex V with ever-reliable Shanon M bowled great spells with Valmadre taking two key wickets and Shannon one, including a spectacular low catch in the covers by Starky.

It 7-75.

Starky proceeded to bowl a ripper maiden over to keep things tight before handing over to young Noah P, who stormed in.

With the pressure on, he bowled a couple of tight ones before going full which enticed the gun Rooster opener into a lofted drive which headed to Davies.

Under immense pressure Reggie moved forward and cupped the chance with a great catch to win the game for the underdogs against all odds.

Players player - Alex Valmadre (10 runs, 2 wickets and a run-out)

The children were excited to run out onto the Great Barrier Reef Arena in front of hundreds of spectators, and it was made even better when an Adelaide Striker player greeted them with smiles, words of encouragement, and an autographed cap.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Porter, Stephen Logan, and Michael Hope

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The Proserpine Pitbulls U12 side managed a spectacular win against Walkerston

Some of the young Proserpine Pitbulls were on field at Great Barrier Reef Arena for the Women’s Big Bash League game

For the first time ever, the club has an Under 11s side