Greater Shepparton boys find success for Northern Rivers in one-day final

By Marcus Beeck

Jan 29, 2024

Pass it around: Old Students' Sam O'Brien. Photo by Megan Fisher

Old Students cricketer Sam O’Brien has produced his best performance of the season after he struck a commanding century for Northern Rivers in the final of the VCCL under-18 competition on Sunday.

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After losing the toss and being sent in to bat by Gippsland Pride, Northern Rivers set an imposing score of 8-295 thanks to O’Brien’s 101 off 128 balls, which featured 10 fours and three sixes.

O’Brien’s stunning knock helped guide Northern Rivers to victory over Gippsland to the tune of 160 runs in the one-day match.

The Greater Shepparton area was also represented strongly in the second innings as bowler Riley Dawson (Numurkah) took 1-12 from his four overs, while Kepler Lukies (Katamatite) was influential with 2-10 from his 3.2 overs.

Meanwhile, in the under-21 competition final, Central Park-St Brendan’s player Keiran Hogeboom helped Northern Rivers get over the line against Barwon by 10 runs in a tight contest.

Hogeboom came in to bat at number nine for Northern Rivers in the first innings, hitting nine runs off 15 balls, including one four.

But it was with the ball where the young player did his damage as he bowled a tight spell taking 1-28 from his seven overs in the one-day match to help his side win the final.

The VCCL runs the representative cricket league for country cricket in Victoria.