Under-16s season wrap: Never-say-die attitude wins premiership

WINNERS ARE GRINNERS: Orange CYMS Cricket Club's Orange District Junior Cricket Association's under-16s premiers for 2024/25.

Things looked bleak when Orange CYMS Cricket Club's under-16s team lost their first two games of the Orange District Junior Cricket Association season.

Then, having overcome that slow start to claim the minor premiership, things once again looked grim when they required 180 runs from their 25 overs in their semi-final.

Having run down that total, in the grand final at Riawena Oval Cavaliers had one hand on the premiership shield at 7-122 in pursuit of CYMS's total of 129.

Three wickets for one run took care of that.

Resilience in the face of adversity was the central theme of a season where, after more than their fair share of tight games and tough spots, Orange CYMS were very deserving ODJCA under-16s premiers.

VIDEO: Spencer Chapman claims the last wicket of a dramatic grand final at Riawena Oval.

The team, coached by Beau Cox, won seven of 10 completed regular season games and then two nerve-wracking finals to claim the club's only junior title of the 2024-25 season.

Orange CYMS Cricket Club President Ben McNiven said the team had done themselves, their families and the club proud.

"In what was a high standard and even competition, it is great credit to the boys that they were able to claim the premiership," McNiven said.

"Holding their nerve in both the semi-final and grand final, both games in front of large crowds, was a remarkable effort.

"The boys and Beau deserve all credit for the way they played across the season. The entire club is very proud of them."

Co-captain Sam Garvin had a standout season, scoring 462 runs at an average of 115 to lead all run-scorers by 145 runs. He also took six catches and effected 2 stumpings with the gloves.

Tom French was equal top wicket-taker with 18 scalps at the miserly average of 8.61, with Spencer Chapman taking 16 wickets, including the last two in the grand final.

The team: Sam Garvin (c), Stephen Wright (c), Tom French, Archie Cox, Ali Hussain Baig, Vaughn Bieniek, Wil Kennedy, Toby Holmes, Spencer Chapman, Tom Wythes, Isaac Churchland, Jake Mulhall. Coach: Beau Cox