Two teenage batsmen have had the games of their lives in Wagga junior cricket’s under 16 grand final, propelling RSL Gold to a comprehensive victory over South Wagga.
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In a phenomenal batting display, openers Josh Staines and Rhys Doneley both scored centuries at Bolton Park, putting on a record-breaking opening partnership of 211.
The pair put the game out of South Wagga’s reach with Doneley top-scoring with 112 and Staines 101.
“Neither of them had ever scored a hundred before,” RSL coach Shaun Perry said.
“Josh scored 80 against St Micks and Rhys scored 71 in a rep game… so it was terrific.
“Not once were they selfish, they just played what was in front of them.”
It was a stunning feat against a South Wagga team which had roared into the finals with a preliminary final victory against Lake Albert.
At the second drinks break, with 16 overs to go, Doneley was on 75 and Staines 61.
Perry told them to settle down for a couple of overs, then target their tons and aim to get RSL to around 230.
Staines brought up the triple figures first, before falling in the 46th over.
Doneley went on to top-score as RSL finished the 50 overs at a mammoth 3/261
The only other century in an under 16s grand final is believed to be Mitchell Sykes (156) for South Wagga, against RSL in 2003.
South Wagga were dismissed for 134 on Sunday.
Perry said the 127-run victory was a great boost for RSL, which also won the third grade premiership.
“We copped it left, right and centre as a club but out of that under 16 side, six of them played first grade during the year so we had a pretty young side,” Perry said.
“To win two premierships for the club, it’s probably our best year for quite a while. What looked to be a sombre year has turned out to be sensational.”
Staines, a NSW U15 representative, has been RSL’s first grade keeper this season and is still eligible for the under 16s next year. He topped the under 16 batting averages this season.
Doneley is a promising footballer who has been juggling cricket with training for the GWS Giants academy. He is also the team’s opening bowler.
Perry hopes his hundred to close out the season will convince Doneley not to give up on a promising cricket career in pursuit of Australian rules.
In the under 15s, Wagga City Tigers were too good for Lake Albert.
Tim Jenkins backed up his unbeaten century in the preliminary final, top-scoring with 52 as the Tigers set their opponents a target of 189 for victory.
Tex Lindsay complemented his innings of 32 with a five-wicket haul for Wagga City as Lake Albert were dismissed for 99.
South Wagga enjoyed a win in the under 14 decider beating Wagga City by 20 runs.
