Pathway champions crowned

Marcus Murphy was crowned player-of-the-final after decimating the Emus with figures of 4-6 from his 10 overs including four maidens.

The stunning individual performance ensured his Falcons would overhaul the target of 103 for victory, which they did with 18 overs to spare.

In the Under-14 Final, the Barwon Rockets chased down the Northern Rivers’ total with seven balls to spare to be crowned winners for the first time since 2001.

After being sent in by the Rockets, the Rivers got off to a solid start, consolidating the loss of Cade Mueller for 18 to move to 1-58.

However, a sensational spell from player-of-the-final, Jack Hodgson, who finished with 2-9 from eight overs, saw the Rockets wrestle back control of the game.

Regular wickets halted any momentum the Rivers were able to create, eventually finishing at 9-129.

Defending the small total was always going to be a difficult ask, but some tight bowling early kept the run rate below three, setting the game up for an exciting finish.

Mid-innings wickets brought Jordan Rossi (37) and Jarrod Walters (21*) to the crease, who combined for a match winning 56-run partnership.

Rossi’s departure did nothing to halt the Rockets, passing the Rivers with seven balls to spare, thus securing the Under-14 title for a second time.

Rockets captain Fraser Jepson said it was his team’s spirit and determination that got them through the carnival, not an over reliance on star players.

“It was a great performance by the boys, really well deserved,” Jepson said.

“After our first loss, we weren’t sure if we could do it, but all the guys pushed through and won the games we had to.”

“We didn’t have a dominant player that plays for Victoria or anything; we just had a solid team that we knew would put in a good performance every time they pulled on the colours.”

The tight match would not be reciprocated at Shepley Oval, however, with the Falcons comfortable win set up in the first hour of play.

Winning the toss and batting, the Emus got off to a steady start with openers Liam Smith (15) and Josh Ball (seven) moving the score to 23 without loss.

The entrance of Murphy into the attack spelt disaster for the Emus, taking two wickets in two balls to start the collapse.

The demise of Smith next over made it 3-23, and from that moment on, the Emus were never able to sufficiently recover.

Three middle order wickets saw Tom Simpson finish with figures of 3-13, before Murphy was re-introduced to complete his unbelievable day with the ball.

Chasing 102 for a famous win, the Falcons never looked headed, moving steadily to 0-79 before Alex Love (36) departed.

This wicket brought captain Liam Banthorpe to the crease to help ensure an unbeaten carnival for the Falcons.

The skipper did not muck around, blasting 21 quick-fire runs to cement victory with eight wickets and 18 overs to spare.

Banthorpe credited his team and coaches for a wonderful display throughout the entire carnival.

“It was a super win from the boys, we did well all carnival, but it was really important that we got the job done today, which we did,” Banthorpe said.

“Everyone stuck at it throughout the whole week, the boys chipped in when it mattered, which I suppose is what good teams do.”

For the Falcons, the Dowling Shield victory marks back-to-back wins for the region.

The Falcons victories did not end there, with Jack Sacchetta announced as the player-of-the-tournament courtesy of his 249 runs.

Outer East Eagle Sam Harper was awarded the Under-16 player-of-the-tournament award for his 214 runs.

To see full scorecards from the final, click here.

Image: Fitzroy Doncaster CC