Collie's year 8 boys had their first game on turf for the season against a strong team from Grammar and didn’t disappoint a bigger than usual crowd for their first Pink Stumps Day game with a corker of a game that went down to the wire.
Collie won the toss and sent Grammar in to bat.
The opening bowling partnership of Archie Boyle and Jet Pike didn’t hesitate in applying pressure straight away with a wicket in the first over to Boyle who ended with figures of 3/7 off four overs.
Jordan Cummings went on to take 2/17 and the introduction of spin proved successful for Blake Shepherd to see him finish with 2/7.
The rest of the bowling attack went well with Cody Irvine finishing with two maidens 0/ 3 off three overs.
A good innings from Roman Torrisi (68) allowed Grammar to get 7/149 from 30 overs.
Collie set about the run chase well with Irvine playing his shots but he fell for a quick nine.
New recruit Devon Oelofse was denied a start then the side was 2/13.
Baxter Miller didn’t hesitate in creating a solid partnership with Shepherd who retired with nine runs but wicket in hand.
Devon Gooch ventured to the middle as Miller played his natural game to make a quick-fire 21 before being dismissed.
Pike went in and played patiently but Gooch hit one straight to the fielder, then Cummings made six runs before he was caught in close.
Boyle walked out and proceeded to amaze all with some power hitting.
Pike was then bowled for five runs so Oleofse got a second crack as the team was one man short.
He made a quick eight runs before skying one which left the team in trouble on 6/103.
Shepherd, the only retiree, joined Boyle at the crease and the two proceeded to put on an exciting 52-run partnership.
They got Collie over the line to win by six runs in the last over.
Shepherd finished on 25no and Boyle with his highest score on 41no.
The team’s proudest achievement was the effort off the field for the McGrath Foundation when they raised more than $1200 for breast cancer support networks.
