APS Cricket: Alex Turner steers Brighton Grammar to opening round victory

Brighton Grammar’s Head of Sport described Alex Turner’s century as “one of the best innings for a while” on a weekend where young stars shone. Here’s all the top performers.

Brighton Grammar Head of Sport Jack Joslin says he would struggle to think of a recent APS cricket innings better than Alex Turner’s on Saturday.

Turner crunched 16 fours and two sixes on his way to 150 from 149 deliveries.

The left-hander was the only Brighton player to score more than 45, as the visitors posted 8-308.

“It was as good an innings from a schoolboy cricketer I have seen for a while,” Joslin said.

“Most people that have seen him know he is really efficient and he’s a quality young player.

“I think those that were there on the weekend witnessed one of the best innings in APS school cricket for a while.

“Hopefully for his sake it gives him confidence now to go on with it and make a few more this season.”

Turner in behind it. Picture: Mark Wilson

Turner accelerates. Picture: Mark Wilson

According to Joslin, Turner’s temperament and leadership were the most impressive aspects of his innings.

“I think the temperament he showed and his ability to go through the gears once he got through a tough period early,” he said.

“They bowled spin from both ends at times and you could tell once he got to 70 or 80, it would’ve been nice for some pace on the ball and once that came, he cashed in.

“I think the thing that stands out is his ability to stay consistent with his emotions.

“He got run out for 3 in a week or two earlier in a practice game and was acting the same as he was when he came off with 150 – he didn’t showboat or celebrate over the top.

“He was internally pleased but he was consistent, that shows a fair bit of his character.

“I think that shows that with that, and a bit of luck, that he could have a really distinguished career moving forward.”

Turner works a ball away. Picture: Mark Wilson

Turner contributed with the ball too, capturing 3-48 off 10 as Geelong College fell 44 runs short of victory.

Big knocks were the theme of the opening day of the APS season, with Charlie Landrigan (Xavier College) and Charlie Grummitt (Carey Grammar) too making hundreds.

Landrigan’s 101 from 124 deliveries was to no avail as Wesley College – led by half-centuries from Will Scott (78) and Rex Macalister (64) – chased Xavier’s 219 five wickets down.

Caulfield Grammar bat Jez Rigoni made an unbeaten 99 while Fred Newing (Melbourne Grammar) made 97 not out in the same match.

Melbourne Grammar had eight wickets in the shed when it passed Caulfield Grammar and St Kevin’s College had four wickets and six overs in the bank when it reeled in Carey Grammar’s 3-211.

Reigning champions Geelong Grammar, meanwhile, recorded an ominous victory over Scotch College.

Felix Guest snared 5-17 before Oliver Peake (57 not out) and George Lithgow (56 not out) steered Geelong to a nine-wicket win inside 25 overs.