THE Year 10 cricket team started their 2016/17 campaign with a double header and a win and a loss.
Saturday they travelled to Grammar in a repeat of last year's semi-final.
Collie won the toss and elected to bat.
Things didn't go to plan losing Austin Kent (0) in the second over.
Billy Bebbington and Jaxon Pitts steadied the ship and got the total to 19 before Bebbington had a rush of blood and skied a ball to be out for 11.
From then on it was a steady flow of wickets, when partnerships were required. Pitts supplied some resistance with a well made 18, and first year player Josh West faced 32 balls for his two runs, and in the context of the innings was an outstanding effort.
Collie were all out for 80 and that was always not going to be enough.
Collie's opening bowlers wasted the new ball not making Grammar play enough early on. Alex Davidson bowled nicely (54 overs, 1 for 12), B. Bebbington (5 overs, 2 for 14).
The pick of the bowlers was first-gamer West who finished with figures of 4 overs, 3 for 24 and a sharp catch at point. All in All, Collie were comprehensively beaten.
Sunday was a new day and Collie face Leschenault at the Wallsend Ground in their first 50-over game ever. Collie were asked for a more disciplined effort and responded to the call.
Collie were bowling first and never allowed Leschenault to get going. The bowling was much better and steady wickets flowed. The pick of the bowlers was B. Bebbington with 2 for 18 off his 7 overs.
Rory Bebbington didn't take a wicket but only went for 7 runs from 8 overs. Jack Rinder, 2 for 18 from eight overs was a lot better as well.
Carson Dewar's 3 for 32 off his 7 overs was a great effort. Leschenault had faced their 50 overs and were kept to 129.
Collie's turn to bat, and Kent and B. Bebbington put on 99 before Kent was run out by a handy bit of fielding.
That brought Pitts to the crease and he and Bebbington batted superbly to take the total to 150 before Billy was run out for 73. R. Bebbington made 17 and Davidson 18.
But it was Pitts who was most impressive with the bat, showing maturity beyond his years, hitting 11 boundaries and two huge 6’s on his way to 90 not out.
All in all it was a much improved effort, made more impressive by three younger players filling in. Dewar, Alby Bebbington and Max Ireland fielded and bowled well and it was great experience.
