Mount Gambier competed in a five day Under 15 carnival over the last week in Horsham.
The Mount Gambier side comprised the best Under 15 players in the region as they went up against some of the best Under 15 players from regional Victoria.
The sides played a game a day over a week, with the young side’s first game against South West.
An excellent 5/21 from Oskar Howell was not enough to keep South West to a low total, with the opposition putting on an incredibly difficult total to chase of 191 at only six wwickets down.
The Mount Gambier batsmen tried their best with good starts from some players including 32 from Archer Virtanen, 23 from Connor Tweedle and 18 from Harry Hicks.
The 191 total was too much though as they were all out for 119, ending day one with a defeat.
Day two did not go the Mount Gambier side’s way either, as it once again came up against an opposition that was too strong in Warrnambool.
The side was again unable to take 10 wickets, as Warrnambool went seven down for a total of 218.
Things did not go well with the bat for Mount Gambier.
Archer Virtanen again starred with the bat making 33 not out, making up over half the Mount Gambier side’s runs as the side was bowled all out for 65.
Warrnambool got the chance to bat again having bowled Mount Gambier out so quickly and scored 4/92.
Mount Gambier side up came up against the host side Horsham in day three of competition, heading in to bat first to post a total of 105 with top scores coming from Rhys Grigg with 27 and Noah Virtanen with 21.
The score was too low though as Horsham scored 7/181 in reply. Once again the opposition was too strong for the Mount Gambier side.
The fourth day of the carnival brought the side’s first win against Portland.
They played an excellent game deserving of a first win.
Archer Virtanen batted brilliantly scoring the first half century of the carnival for the Mount Gambier side, notching up 80.
The team posted a total of 189 for 8 wickets down.
Mount Gambier bowled the opposition out for the first time in the carnival, knocking Portland over for 134 with Grigg and Noah Virtanen contributing four and three wickets respectively.
On the fifth and final day the Mount Gambier side came up against Wimmera Mallee.
Archer Virtanen continued his terrific carnival with the bat scoring 31 of Mount Gambier’s 60 runs.
The side finished its innings 5/60 and replied with a lethal bowling innings knocking Wimmera Mallee all out for 56.
Ollie McCracken was the stand out with ball in hand taking an incredible 5/12.
The Under 15 Mount Gambier side wrapped up the carnival on a high note after struggling in the initial stages, finishing with two wins and three losses, a terrific effort representing Mount Gambier against some strong regional Victorian sides.
