With all adult cricket in Lismore and Kingscliff called off last Saturday, the Lismore & District Junior Cricket Association Under 12 final between Marist Brothers Gold and Casino Heat took place at Hepburn Park, Goonellabah.

With the ground shrouded in dense fog, Marist Brothers Gold won the toss and elected to bat in tough conditions. The wicket was damp with the outfield was good condition if slow and play got underway at 8:30am.

"This was a much anticipated match," said Marist Brothers Gold Under 12 Manager Daniel Cohen. "Both teams were having a terrific season. It was Brothers Gold first and Casino Heat second on the ladder, with the previous fixture between the sides in December being washed out.

With the wicket making batting very difficult, it was tough going early and Brothers had an early setback with Levi Castle bowled with the score on 7. Hugh Marshall contributed a terrific opener's knock, and with support from Connor McCarthy (12), the two made it to the drinks break with the score on 1/40.

Connor McCarthy plays a shot off his legs for Marist Brothers Gold Under 12s in the final against Casino Heat. Photo: DC Sports Photography

Both batsmen were dismissed immediately after the break, Marshall’s 21 runs in the extremely difficult conditions was a highlight. With the score on 3 for 45 the match could have gone either way

The new batsmen Zachary Cohen and Connor Robb took a couple of overs to get going, but combined to lift the run rate with some urgent running between the wickets. Cohen, with 13 not out, and Robb, 12, each hit the only boundaries for the day. They advanced the score to 79 before Robb was Run Out in the push for runs.

The final score of 82 was going to be a tough total to match, however the Casino Heat has some terrific young talent.

Casino’s run chase suffered an early setback in the tough conditions, with Robb (3 for five runs off three overs) and Kieran Weekes (1/10 off three overs) taking early wickets, leaving Casino reeling at 2/7 in the early overs. 

A solid partnership between Sculley and George took Casino to drinks with the score on 2/43. It was looking like the final was going to go down to the wire, before Connor McCarthy (2/4 off 3.1 overs) snuck a ball through Millar Sculley’s (11) defence with the score on 47.

When Cassius Vincent (1/7 off two overs) knocked back Olive’s off-stump shortly after Marist Gold sensed an opportunity. Connor Robb chimed in with two wickets in two balls, and when McCarthy picked up his second wicket, Marist Brothers had bowled Casino Heat out for 53 to win the final by 29 runs.

Marist Brothers Gold Under 12s' Zachary Cohen sends down a leggy. Photo: DC Photography

"The result was credit to the hard work the boys put in throughout the year," said Cohen. "The conditions were very difficult for both teams, perhaps not ideal for a final, but credit to both Casino Heat and MBCC Gold for a successful year." 

Marist Brother Gold Under 12 side: Hugh Marshall, Levi Castle, Connor McCarthy, Connor Robb, Zachary Cohen, Kieran Weekes, Archie Perry, Cassius Vincent. Injured: Alastair Gapes. Coach: Ben Perry.

Photo Captions: 

Batting: Connor McCarthy plays one of his hip for runs

Bowling: Zachary Cohen (0/2 off 2) sends down a leggy

Team: Marist Brothers CC U12 Gold - 2020/21 Premiers