Stars of Central Qld win at North Qld Cricket U18 Zone Championships

The Central Qld under-18 boys claimed back-to-back titles at the North Queensland Zone Championships. Check out the efforts with bat and ball that secured the crown.

Pam McKay

2 min read

December 9, 2024 - 9:34AM

News Sport Network

The Central Queensland under-18 team won back-to-back titles at the North Queensland Zone Championships in Mackay. Pictured are (back row, from left) Sam Graham, Josh Peckett, Jonty Haward, Sam Gassman, Oliver Spyve, Jackson Baillie, manager Dillon West and (front, from left) Eddy Grice, Chad Charlesworth, Walt Lanson, Cayden Kent, captain Riley McDonald and Colby Rudd.

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The Central Queensland under-18 cricket team was unbeaten on its way to claiming back-to-back titles at the North Queensland Zone Championships.

The Centurions scored wins over North Queensland on Friday, Far North on Saturday and Mackay-Whitsunday on Sunday at the carnival in Mackay.

Three team members - skipper Riley McDonald, bowler Sam Gassman and opening batter Colby Rudd - were named in the North Queensland team to play South Queensland in April next year.

Victorious coach Jeff Case said he was “stoked” to see his gun trio earn selection.

“It was very well deserved,” he said.

CQ Centurions under-18 boys cricket coach Jeff Case.

“They were probably our three main players and they were great leaders throughout the weekend.

“Colby hit a couple of 50s, Sam took wickets up top and in the middle, and Riley bowled really well with his spin and contributed a few runs as well.”

Case said it was an excellent result for the Centurions, and the contributions with bat and ball were shared around.

“A very pleasing aspect, aside from winning, was just the development of all of the players,” he said.

“I challenged all of them on different things in their game and it was great to see them take on board that advice and put it into action almost immediately.”

Case had said the strength of the team was the number of all-rounders in the line-up.

Central Queensland under-18 cricketers Joshua Peckett, Cayden Kent, Riley McDonald and Sam Gassman celebrate their win at the North Queensland Zone Championships.

That proved the case in their opening game when it was a wagging tail that got them home.

Case said the win against Far North was their best all-round performance, with the players ticking off all the boxes on the checklist he had set.

In their third game, they “bowled the house down” and really shone in the field to successfully defend a meagre total of 111.

Case was in his first year at the helm of the rep team.

He said it was a fantastic opportunity to work with the up-and-coming talent in the region.

The winning line-up was McDonald, Gassman, Rudd, Eddy Grice, Chad Charlesworth, Jonty Haward, Oliver Spyve, Josh Peckett, Walt Lanson, Jackson Baillie, Cayden Kent and Sam Graham.