Tara Murray
While Yarraville Club’s senior players failed to fire on Saturday, the Victorian Turf Cricket Association’s senior division’s youngest player stood up.
The Clubbers suffered a disappointing loss to Craigieburn on Saturday despite 13-year-old Jackson Martin rocketing to the top of the division’s bowling figures.
Martin took 5-24 off his eight overs, his first five wicket haul at this level.
Clubbers-captain coach Mitch Johnstone said they weren’t surprised by the performances of Martin, who made his first XI debut last season.
“He is going alright young Jackson,” Johnstone said. “He has the ability and he’s incredibly competitive and really coachable.
“He’s not a big 13-year old. He’s genuinely bowling guys out, not getting wickets caught on the boundary from big slogs.
“It’s really exciting.”
Johnstone said while they were looking after Martin a bit too not to push him too quickly, he said the performance against Craigieburn had been a couple of weeks in the making.
He had taken two wickets against St Albans and Aberfeldie in the previous couple of weeks.
Johnstone said they had a plan in place to help Martin go through the ranks and were providing a lot of support to him.
Johnstone said their performance on Saturday against the Eagles wasn’t up to scratch.
Craigieburn made 167 in its innings with Martin being the pick of the bowlers for the Clubbers.
In reply the Clubbers were bowled out for 141 in the 38th over.
Lachlan Campbell, who came in at number nine, top scored with 29.
“The older guys needed to get the job down, myself included,” he said.
‘The younger ones kept us in the game which was positive. Myself, Trent [Lawford]. Ash [Sweet] were underwhelming, especially at the death.
“The top five, all experienced guys, didn’t produce.”
The Clubbers sit in fourth after four rounds with two wins and two losses.
Johnstone said the competition was closer than ever.
“Keilor, which has the best bowler in the competition, is 10th,” he said. “Anyone can beat anyone.
“With our young guys we understand where we are. Our best is good enough to play finals, but it’s the gap between that and our worst.”
In other results, the Druids were defeated by Sunshine United.
The Tigers made 7-185 from their overs, with Nathan Johnson the only multiple wicket taker for the Druids.
The Druids fell short, bowled out for 164 in the 38th over. Andrew Brennan top scored with 42.
Haig Fawkner, Aberfeldie and St Albans were the other winners.
