By RUSSELL BENNETT
THE best and brightest junior cricketers from throughout the West Gippsland Cricket Association took on the might of the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association in a series of representative games on Sunday.
The games – in the under-12s, 14s, 16s and 18s – were spread across Cardinia, to Lang Lang, Tooradin, Cranbourne and Frankston.
While the Mornington Peninsula showed its class on the day, West Gippsland showed it could more than mix it on the big stage.
It will be fascinating to see if the Peninsula accepts an invitation to take on the West Gippsland seniors prior to Country Week.
Playing at Jubilee Park in Frankston on Sunday, the Peninsula under-18s reached 9/148 from their 50 overs. Josh Browne, Trav Wheller and skipper Zac Chaplin claimed two wickets apiece for West Gippsland. Greg Interlandi impressed at the top of the order in a tough day at the office for the West Gippsland batsmen before they were ultimately rolled for 105.
At the same venue the WGCA scored 7/147 from its 50 overs. Cody Miller top-scored with 41, with Luke McMaster unbeaten on 26. The MPCA passed their score five wickets down and with five overs left.