Mulgrave young guns play big roles in grand final triumph

A pair of 16-year-olds from Babinda have etched their names into Mulgrave cricketing folklore with a gamechanging moment and matchwinning knock in the Toads’ grand final triumph over Rovers.

A PAIR of 16-year-olds from Babinda have etched their names into Mulgrave cricketing folklore with a gamechanging moment and matchwinning knock in the Toads’ grand final triumph over Rovers.

Mulgrave proved too good for the Green Machine at Griffiths Park on Saturday, ripping through the minor premiers in 40.4 overs before chasing down the 104 runs required for victory with five wickets in hand and 13 overs to spare.

While Blake Raper (4/28) and Will Robertson (26) topped the stats sheet for the Toads, it was two of the side’s youngest stars that would play the most crucial roles in the decider.

First, Shaun Henrich pulled off a sensational piece of fielding to remove Rovers skipper and danger man Brenton Edwards for 10 in the 16th over.

Mulgrave batsman Matthew Wilkins in action in the Cricket Far North Grand Final match between Rovers, held at Griffiths Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

Henrich was near the boundary rope when he produced one of the season’s more remarkable run-outs, picking up the ball and firing it to the keeper’s end to dislodge the bails with a direct hit.

“It got smacked out to me on the boundary and I ran in and had to sort of get rid of it as quick as I could because they turned around to take the two,” he said.

“The boys didn’t think it was going to hit, but it ended up taking out middle stump.”

Mulgrave captain Justin Reid said it was the “game-changer”.

“It was a full toss from Will and he (Edwards) clothed it out to mid-wicket,” he said.

Cricket Far North: Round 6 - Rovers v Mulgrave at Griffiths Park. Mulgrave's Shaun Henrich. Picture: Stewart McLean

“Shaun’s at long-on and he ran around, picked it up and threw it in the one motion.

“Luckily enough, Eddy didn’t slide his bat and it was a direct hit from the boundary.”

The big scalp helped to restrict Rovers to 103.

Robertson and Reid (22) led the way for the Mulgrave bats early, but it was the patience of young batsman Matthew Wilkins that secured victory for the Toads.

After coming to the crease at 2/54, Wilkins batted out the rest of the afternoon, hitting the winning runs in the 37th over as he finished with 22 runs from 66 deliveries.

Mulgrave bowler Will Robertson has champagne sprayed over him by team mates Jake Roach (left) and captain Justin Reid (right), after claiming victory in the Cricket Far North Grand Final match between Rovers, held at Griffiths Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I wasn’t feeling the best heading out there,” he said.

“I was pretty bloody nervous but I’m just stoked, I can’t believe it.”

Reid said Wilkins was “a star in the making”.

“He’s a kid that wants to learn everything — he’ll pick everyone’s brains, and he’s switched on for a 16-year-old. You wouldn’t think he’s that age, but he’s a great asset to have at your club and he can keep, field and bat all day,” he said.

“For him to dig in through the tough period and be there at the end and hit the winning runs, that’s awesome for him.”

Mulgrave batsmen Matthew Wilkins and John Stampa congratulate each other on their winning partnership, claiming victory in the Cricket Far North Grand Final match between Rovers, held at Griffiths Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mulgrave won five premierships in eight consecutive grand final appearances from 2011-12 to 2018-19 before slumping to its worst season in recent memory last summer.

Reid said winning the grand final was important to return the club to its former glory.

“After coming second-last last year, it sort of just felt stale,” he said.

“To turn it around this year, with a couple younger kids coming in, then they tell their mates and more and more keep coming, it’s been great for the club.

“I can’t wait to play for the next few years and watch these young kids. We’ve got a really good group that I’m confident we’re going to be at the top for the next 10 years.”

Mulgrave stuns Rovers to claim Cricket Far North title

Mulgrave returned to the top of the Cricket Far North heap with a five-wicket win against Rovers in the first-grade grand final at Griffiths Park on Saturday.

Rovers won the toss and elected to bat but were on the back foot early after Toads’ spearhead Blake Raper got opener Bobby Brix out LBW for a duck in the first over.

Just two of Rovers’ top seven batsmen would make it to double digits, with opener Nathan Crane and skipper Brenton Edwards each scoring 10.

Edwards was run out after a brilliant piece of fielding by Shaun Henrich, with a direct hit from near the boundary to have Rovers reeling at 3/34.

Mulgrave players with the winner's trophy after claiming victory in the Cricket Far North Grand Final match between Rovers, held at Griffiths Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

In trouble at 7/54, Rovers’ tail wagged as Ryan Terry (20), Joel Sykes (15) and Aaron Lock (11) added some much needed runs to their side’s total before they were bowled out in the 40th over for 103.

Mulgrave bowled tight and as a team, but it was Raper who reaped the spoils, taking 4/28.

The Toads got off to a good start with openers Kai Stuchbery (10) and Will Robertson (26), until Stuchbery was bowled by Brodie Deverell in the seventh over.

Skipper Justin Reid (22) joined Robertson and the pair batted well to get Mulgrave to 54 before Reid was caught behind.

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Mulgrave bowler Blake Raper (right) celebrates his third wicket with his teammates in the Cricket Far North Grand Final match between Rovers and Mulgrave, held at Griffiths Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

Matthew Wilkins came to the crease and it was the 16-year-old’s patience with the bat that helped Mulgrave secure victory.

The youngster scored 22 runs off 66 deliveries, knuckling down with Ryan Etherington (14) and John Stampa (8*) before hitting the winnings runs.

Originally published as Mulgrave young guns play big roles in grand final triumph