Baker Shield Cricket

Newcastle High School were pitted against Kotara, Lambton, and Belmont High School in the opening rounds of the U/14 Bakers Shield cricket competition. 

Belmont withdrew, unable to find the numbers to field a team. An enthusiastic group of Year 7, 8 and 9 students formed the NHS All Stars side to fill in for them. Both NHS teams faced off against each other in the opening round with the All Stars compiling 47 in very muddy and trying conditions. Top scorers were Sam Burns and Seth Macauley with 10. Tight bowling from the U/14 side saw Alex Kacev, Noah Parkinson, Harrison Fleming, Oscar Hills, Boston Byrne and Oliver Cabalzar-Lampert pick up wickets.

The U/14 team confidently ran down the score with Oscar Hills unbeaten on 25 and Harrison Fleming smashing the only 6 and ending on 7 not out.

The NHS U/14 team then took on the might of Lambton High in Round 2 of the Baker Shield. NHS won the toss and decided to bat. 

A solid start from Alex Kacev and Oscar Hills guided NHS to 40 before Oscar was bowled for 20. The NHS innings then began to stall with Noah Parkinson next best score with 11. A total of 80 was reached and tight bowling and energetic field work was going to be required to win.

An outstanding opening over saw the benefits of full in-swing bowling from the left hander and produced two wickets. This effort was solidly backed up by tight bowling from Alex Kacev, Oscar Hills, Noah Parkinson, Lewis Cousin, Harrison Fleming, Oliver Cabalzar-Lampert, and James Jackson. Fantastic catching and fielding from Alex Kacev, Chip Valentish and Noah Parkinson helping to dismiss Lambton for 47.

The U/14 Baker Shield team now eagerly await their next opponents in Round 3.