The 10th annual Bulls Masters under 16 Youth Cup offered new hope for the Regional Queensland teams hoping to get their name on the trophy for the first time. Far North Queensland and Wide Bay had lost finals in recent years, whilst North Queensland and Central Queensland are proud cricketing regions who’ve had so much success in the seniors Country Challenge.
However, it was a familiar name given to the engravers by the end of a soggy final, with the Darling Downs Suns claiming their 4th title in fairly dominant fashion.
Far North Fusion made the final, finishing top of Pool A on run-rate, after their game on Wednesday with Sunshine Coast was rained out. That game was the battle of the two undefeated regions, and whoever won was going to play Darling Downs who had been totally dominant in Pool B.
The Final was shortened to a 37 over game with rain coming and going all day. The Fusion won the toss and decided to bowl but it was the Suns who looked like running away with a big first innings total when Dominic Seaby (28 runs off 46 balls) and captain Jack Penfold (48 off 39 balls) were at the crease. However, 1/74 in the 15th over quickly became 5/99 in the 23rd over as the Fusion fought back into the game with Harvey Lees impressive (3/18 off 8).
The Matt Hayden Medal winner (Player of the Tournament) Marko Van Vuuren managed to keep his head and steer his side to a defendable total of 160 with a defiant 33* off 61 balls. Far North were impressive in the field taking some great catches and can be very proud of their fielding display.
Far North Fusion began the run-chase facing the very impressive opening bowling of Dominic Seaby and Edward Barwick who were accurate and relentless. Cody Peters and Samson Pittorino did a marvellous job but theVuuren took 4/31 in the final to cap off a marvellous tournament!
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