Local cricketers travelled to the Barossa Valley last week to compete for the South East side in the under 16 junior representative cricket carnival.

There were numerous cricketers representing the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association, with the South East team finishing third.

The side was coached by former local Connor Prior, who has been playing for Prospect in Adelaide.

The South East team took on Yorke Peninsula in the first round, where captain Jayden Prior won the toss and batted.

Angus Clarke and Sam Hunt started well for South East getting them off to a good start before Prior took too the crease with a clear mission, making 40 runs off 42 balls before being dismissed.

Prior and Archer Virtanen combined for a great partnership that was crucial for the game.

Then – batting all the way down – Campbell Hately and Riley Clake combined for another important partnership for the South East side with Campbell making 35.

Spin worked well when the under 16s had to bowl with Sam Hunt and Darcy picking up two wickets each.

Prior was declared player of the match.

In game two South East faced Murray Districts, again winning the toss and opting to bat.

The openers started well but lost Hunt early, while Angus Clark and Prior had a great partnership with Prior making 25.

Again South East proved it could bat deep, as Zac Zema came out with a fantastic 47 not out to set the side up, including a great partnership with Nicholas Bald.

When it came time to bowl the spinners took control, with Ashton Lindner taking two wickets.

“The boys fielded great this game as well,” coach Prior said.

Zac Zema also won player of the round for his performance.

In the third game South East again won the toss and elected to bowl first.

“The pitch was not looking great,” Prior said.

“We had to bowl from one end which was ideal but the boys got the game in.

“The boys were flat in this game which we went down in. We just could not get a partnership going between anyone.

“Then when we went in to bowl everyone was bowling too short, allowing the batters to make the runs.”

The team suffered its first defeat of the carnival to Fleurieu.

South East’s fourth match was a play off for third and fourth position, which found the side up against the Eyre Peninsula.

South East won the toss and batted first.

“We did lose a wicket early but Eli hung in there and worked with the other batters as they were falling around them,” Prior said.

“Again Nick and Zac had a great partnership, the lower batters had a great tournament.

“Young Darcy walked out and just wanted to bat the overs out but first ball decided to hit a six and continued on making 23.

“This game the captain decided to change the bowling up a little to give Angus Clarke a bowl which ended up with him taking three wickets.

“Sam Hunt and Ashton Lindner also took two each.

“Jayden also kept fantastic this game, taking a great catch to keep us in the game winning by 28 runs.

“I was pleased with everyone’s performances, Zac Zema and Sam Hunt had a fantastic week.”

Prior said he was proud of his team, with every member contributing.

“I really enjoyed coaching the great bunch of boys,” he said.

“It was a great experience for myself to do something different for the boys, for them having someone younger coach.

“I hope they enjoyed it. I think they did.

“I also want to say thank you to Loren Bald who picked the team and Liz Case as team manager making sure everyone was sorted and to all the parents thank you for your support.”