Bears Produce at State Challenges

Seven Bears have made their case for higher representative honours at State Challenges over the past fortnight.

No less than four of our Green Shield squad competed at the Basil Sellers U16 boys’ State Challenge at Blacktown. Toby Laybutt and Lucas Opacic took the field for the Metro Thunder while Zak Keogh and Callum Smith represented the Country Sixers.

In the head-to-head contest between their sides, all four Bears shone. Callum picked up 4/37 as the Metro Thunder accumulated 215. Toby and Lucas then applied the squeeze with the ball, taking 2/17 and 1/14 respectively, while Zak fought to resist the new ball onslaught, scoring 21 with the bat as his side ultimately fell short. The Country Sixers won both of their two remaining matches, with Callum (1/9 off 4) and Zak (29 off 32) both playing key roles in their final-day win over the Country Thunder, while Toby picked up a wicket in Metro Thunder’s defeat to Metro Sixers.

Hamish Reynolds produced highlights with both bat and ball for the Metro Sixer South East in the U14 boys’ State Challenge. Hamish knocked up a match-winning 71 from 57 balls in the third round, having already collected a brace of wickets earlier in the match. He also collected 2/19 off eight overs in the second round to keep his side’s hopes alive.

Mridula Thirupathy and Liz Buckley both performed admirably for the Metro Thunder at the U13 girls’ State Challenge. Mridula was twice retired undefeated and Liz bowled frugally to help their team take the third place play-off.