A team full of Dubbo's finest under 14s headed to Bowral for the annual Bradman Foundation Spirit of Cricket Carnival, and left with an epic win.
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According to coach Greg Rummans, this year's carnival was the tightest tournament in it's 21 year history with Dubbo claiming the crown when just edging out western rivals Lachlan Valley in the decider at the famed Bradman Oval.
"The teams are encouraged to play hard, but always with the spirit of the game at heart," Rummans said, before praising the team effort.
"The highlight being that every player contributed either with runs, wickets, catches and fielding. Ten players made scores of 25 or more."
Rummans added the players all played and partied as mates, with times off the field as enjoyable as on.
The carnival started with a strong win over Hornsby, one secured just before bad light stopped play around the grounds.
Day two saw a tough one for Dubbo but still a day of quality cricket. After a loss to Lachlan in the morning the side met South Coast in what was arguably the game of the tournament.
Dubbo was edged out by four runs in that game but got its campaign back on track with brilliant wins over Bathurst and Highlands on day three.
"The team was most dominant on day three with several extra bonus points claimed and a big finish with Dubbo taking 7-21 to roll the local Highlands team 10 runs short," Rummans said.
"The win edged us in front of the strong South Coast team by one point to book our place to meet Lachlan Valley in the final."
Dubbo's Hugh Sienkiewicz won a rare toss in the decider and opted to bat.
"Fletcher Hyde (44) started us off on the right foot and Ted Murray (39) and Noah Brien (33) led us to a total of 5/145 from our 25 overs," Rummans said.
"A good total but with value for shots on offer one we had to defend smartly. Bowlers again shared the load and started things off well but the Lachlan batsmen were also in good touch racing to 1/50 in the ninth over.
"[But] Cricket is a funny game with twists and turns always just around the corner."
Some tidy bowling from Lockie Rummans and Tyson Deebank created pressure and created a key wicket and from there Angus Rose took centre stage.
He secured what Rummans claimed was one of the best catches anyone would see from a 14-year-old, with one hand above his head in what was an absolute screamer.
That turned the game on its head it was soon he followed up the catch with a direct hit run-out and by then the momentum had well and truly swung.
Dubbo went on to win the game by four runs and claimed the title.
"Massive celebrations ensued after the final ball beat the bat and went through to the keeper," Rummans said.