By RICHARD MURRIHY
WHAT a wonderful way to finish the season at Noosa on the weekend hosting the under 15 boy’s state titles.
It was a wonderful effort put together from some great volunteers and of course the wonderful play from all the boys representing the 12 teams who attended.
Noosa had a young team with Jacob, Riley, Charles and Will the only ones to have played at this level before and all the boys showed they were capable of playing to the levels expected.
The first game they came up against Ipswich and they got off to a great start with an 8-1 victory, the second game was against Redcliffe and the boys were cruising at 13 nil but hit a wall, but eventually hung on to win 13-11 in a nailbiter.
The next was Mackay and the boys were behind for most of the game, but rallied in their last bat to take the lead and the victory.
Day one was finished and the boys were undefeated. Saturday morning saw the boys come up against Gladstone and the level had stepped up. They were playing against a well-drilled team, the boys stuck with them early but were out muscled in the end, but all played to their best, they then backed up against Redlands and again it was tight but Redlands were a very good all round team and won the game 8-1.
This then saw the side pitted against Hervey Bay and it was a tight game with the scores 2-1. Hervey Bay after the 5th innings but the bay got four runs in in the 6th to take the game, day two was over , and the boys were off to wind down at the team barbecue.
The sun greeted the side all again on Sunday morning and again the side was up against Hervey Bay. This time the Bay got off to an early lead and the boys just could not bridge the gap but never gave up trying. Some highlights and there were many two autos by Riley and one by Brayden, two double plays by Riley, who both got three baggers and Riley had a line drive home run. Charles and Riki both got runs from fielder’s choice. Ethan took two great catches in the outfield while Blake, Jed, Brayden, Will, Charles, Dylan, Josh, Riki Jacob all took catches with Riley taking a few more.
Dylan Todd and Ethan Lewis pitched well all tournament and should be proud of their efforts. The team was well coached by Richard W who was assisted by Luke Thomas and Beth Thomas with the support of Kim W, scoring and stats and team manager Sheena who kept all the kids fed and hydrated over the three days.
Noosa finished 6th overall and their only pool matches they lost were to the two finalists Gladstone and the winners Redlands.
