Margaret River Hawks Cricket Club juniors play three exciting matches

The Margaret River Hawks juniors displayed grit, determination and skill across three exciting games on Saturday.

The Hawks under-16s took on Dunsborough Blue in a fast-paced T20 match at Dunsborough Playing Fields.

Batting first, the start was shaky for the Hawks, as they lost quick wickets and found themselves at 3-28. Manning Smith and Jake Pawelski departed early, while Caspian Ensor fell to Stephanus Naude’s accurate bowling.

The turning point came with the dynamic duo of Thomas Joyce and Samuel Joyce.

Thomas’ solid 42 off 34 balls, featuring seven boundaries, provided a platform for Samuel Joyce. He went on to unleash a brilliant 59 off 43 balls, including five boundaries and two sixes. Joyce’s aggressive innings pushed the Hawks to a strong total of 6-120 from their 20 overs.

When Dunsborough came in to bat, they struggled against the Hawks’ bowling attack.

Captain Samuel Joyce struck early, removing Lewis Malcolm for a duck.

Sam Smith was the stand-out bowler, claiming 4-7 from 3.5 overs with his consistent medium pace.

Archie Berry and Heinrich Van der Merwe also chipped in with crucial wickets, and Dunsborough was bowled out for 44 in 10.5 overs, sealing a comfortable win for the Hawks.

Over at Vasse Playing Fields, the Hawks U14 Green battled Vasse in a tightly contested 30-over game.

After winning the toss, the Hawks opted to bowl first.

Charlie Joyce struck first, taking two key wickets to dent Vasse’s top order. Arlo Mann then joined the attack with his seam bowling, collecting three wickets, while Joshua Wynd closed out the innings with 3-16.

Vasse were bowled out for 113 in 29.1 overs.

In response, the Hawks started cautiously, with openers Campbell Murphy and Oliver Webb building a foundation. Murphy’s 15 off 33 balls and Webb’s 10 kept the scoreboard ticking.

After some quick wickets in the middle order, the responsibility fell to Charlie Joyce, who scored a valuable 17 off 34 balls.

Despite solid efforts from Jai Smith and Mann, who contributed 19 runs, the Hawks narrowly fell short, finishing at 6-103 from their 30 overs.

On the hard wicket at Gloucester Park’s Western Oval, Hawks U14 Gold faced Dunsborough Blue.

After losing the toss, the Hawks were sent in to bat.

Zach Bain and Hayden Pearce opened cautiously, with Bain scoring a resilient 18 off 43 balls. The middle order was bolstered by a stand-out performance from Digby Bucat, who blazed a quick 37 off 34 balls, striking six boundaries.

Bucat’s powerful hitting, combined with Flynn Woods’ swift 19 off 19, saw the Hawks post a competitive total of 131 in their allotted overs.

The Hawks’ bowling line-up started well, with Connor Prosser removing opener James Jackson to a sharp catch by Digby Bucat.

Dunsborough’s captain, Jack Henderson, proved a tough nut to crack, remaining unbeaten on 71 off 53 balls, which included 11 boundaries. Although the Hawks’ bowlers kept applying pressure, Henderson’s composed innings guided Dunsborough to victory.

Woods was the pick of the bowlers for the Hawks, taking 2-19 in his five overs, while Seth Gray and Bain each claimed a wicket.

Dunsborough chased down the target, reaching 8-154 in their 30 overs.