Under 17 2023 Division 1 Green Premiers
Our U17 season started off with not quite enough players and no obvious coach, but that was just the beginning of this fairy tale…
Coming to the rescue was our fairy godmother, one of the most wonderful people at the club Leonie Branson. Her hard work making phone calls chatting to players allowed us to make up the numbers to have a team every week.
The next piece of the puzzle was secured when a selfless young man, one of the up and coming younger players of the senior club stuck his hand up to be the coach – Matthew Miles. Week in week out Matt held himself in exemplary fashion, handling the roulette of ever changing player availability.
Coming into the grand final Matt was finally armed with his best weapons to take on the undefeated Essendon bombers.
Leading things off for the Saints was Ethan, drawing a walk. Ben came to the plate aggressive and beat out a hit to third base setting the table for Cam. With 2 out and runners at second and third, Cam drew first blood lacing a line drive to centre field picking up 2 RBIs to give the saints the ideal start.
Declan was given the start on the back of a tremendous season. His growth throughout the season having pitched in seniors some weeks and in juniors in others was on show. The bombers were aggressive early and managed to claw back 1 run, but Dec looked good.
From the second innings the game then became an arm wrestle. Declan would continue to be lights out, Even with the odd base runner Dec was unflappable keeping a cool head working through the situation. Having thrown his maximum 4 innings he passed the batton on to Cam to throw in the fifth innings.
Accustomed to starting in the 2s, Cam was clutch in keeping the bombers off the board, and with the score still at 2-1 our way the 6th innings was going to be the Saints last chance to extend the lead.
Things kicked off the same way as the first with Ethan drawing a lead off walk and before we knew it he’d stolen his way to 3rd. Nerves were getting the better of Essendon as they walked Ben as well. The stage was set for Cult hero Drew who stepped up to the plate. Locked and loaded Drew sensed the occasion and stepped up to deliver an important blow with his 2rbi single to left field, putting the saints up 4-1
Bottom of the 6th innings with just 3 more outs for victory Cam headed back out there to shut the door to complete the fairy tale. A couple of walks weren’t meant to be in the script but nevertheless that’s how things started. A pop up, a groundball to second base and a safe hit to centre field saw the score draw closer 3-4. Another walk and people were starting to get a little uncomfortable. Cam shook it off and came back pounding the zone to collect his 3rd strike out but most importantly the final out earning the save and giving our U17s their well deserved premiership