Orange District Junior Cricket Association suffered its first loss of the Mitchell Cricket Council under-12 season on Sunday, the black and golds were comfortably beaten by competition leaders Mudgee at Jack Brabham 2.
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The two sides, who played off in last year’s grand final too, were deadlocked at the top of the table coming into Sunday’s game, a true clash of the heavyweights.
Mudgee came out on top by six wickets because, simply, Orange didn’t score enough runs.
Only Matt McKenna (19), Dan Hunter (10) and Darcy Kelly (10) made it to double figures as the home side could only muster 94 against the powerful Mudgee attack, 32 of those came through sundries as well.
There’s no doubt Orange bowled well, forcing Mudgee to use up 31 overs of its chase to secure the win, but the black and golds had dug themselves too big a hole.
Jack Madigan (1-10) and Jeron Sijo (1-10) were the best of the Orange bowlers, while Toby Middleton (1-11) and Darcy Hamling (1-14) also took wickets.
Mudgee now sits seven points clear of Orange, however the latter side can steal the minor premiership away.
Orange has a game in hand and plays the Blue Mountains this weekend, a victory will push the side back into top spot leading into the finals.
Thanks to Sunday’s victory over Mudgee Orange’s under 16s are locked in to finish second despite having one game left.
Bathurst, undefeated, has sealed the minor title and can’t be caught, while the black and golds can’t drop down the ladder, even if they lose to the Blue Mountains on Sunday.
Sunday’s win was a much-needed one, which came on the back of a superb effort with the ball.
Cam Laird (3-22) and Hugh Middleton (2-14) led that, helping skittle the visitors for just 83.
Will Luelf (1-10), Ike Dean (1-10), Harry McGregor (1-9) and Ed Taylor (1-13) all took a wicket apiece as well.
Middleton also top-scored for Orange in the chase, which the side finished off with seven wicket and 28 overs in hand.
Middleton finished 25 not out and together with skipper Alex Brien (14 not out), made sure his side got the job done.
Orange’s under-14 side won via forfeit, and a win over Blue Mountains this week will seal the minor title.
Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
