A GREAT all-round captain’s performance from Bohden McKnight helped guide Wandella to a memorable under-16 grand final win at the weekend.
McKnight made 25 and then took 3/6 with the ball as his team stormed to a 37-run win over St Mary’s Tyntynder/Swan Hill in their first season in the Swan Hill & District Cricket Association.
Batting first on a difficult wicket on Friday night, Wandella moved to 2/47 off their 20 overs before the change of innings, with Paddy Oliver contributing a patient 12.
But it was with the ball where Wandella did the most damage, crashing through the opposition’s top order to have them in big trouble at 6/33 after their first 20 overs.
Wandella went on with the job on Sunday, going on to post a very competitive 5/93, with Harry Bremmer making a handy 16 not out late.
The St Mary’s/Tyntynder/Swan Hill bowling attack shared the wickets as Charlie King (1/4) and Oscar Hickox (1/6) finishing with the best figures.
The total of 94 proved too much, however, as they ended all out for 56, with Hugh Thompson trying hard with an unbeaten 9.
McKnight dominated with the ball finishing with figures of 3/6 off his eight overs, including three maidens.
Archer Lancaster also chipped in with a few wickets to finish with figures of 2/7.
McKnight, who was awarded the SHDCA under-16 best and fairest last Wednesday, was the deserved man of the match for the grand final.
It tops a great season for the youngster, who was also part of the Wandella A Grade team that went down to Woorinen in the semi-finals, his standout moment an unbeaten 77 against Ultima-TUF last month.
