The Cooma Under 14s cricket team (back) James Russell, James Hayden, Patrick Connolly, Matthew Robinson, Andrew Devereux, (middle) Hugh Allen, Damien Hayden, Matthew Chelin, Dan Swain, Archie Allen and (front) Charlie Allen. Absent: Aaron Pottage.
The Cooma under 14s cricket team will play in the grand final in Canberra this weekend.
Cooma played Marist College in the semi-final at home on Snowy Oval.
With the ground in great shape, but with a heavy overnight dew, Charlie Allen won the toss and elected to bat.
Hughie Allen and Damo Hayden opened the batting, with both batting sensibly and in total control.
At the drinks break Cooma was 65 without loss of a wicket.
Hayden (29) was out shortly after drinks to bring Andrew Devereux to join Hughie Allen at the crease.
Hugh Allen compiled a very good 34 and was then clean bowled to leave Cooma 2/90 from 19 overs.
Matthew Robinson (2) departed soon after to leave Devereux and James Hayden to bat through to the 25 over interval. They managed to leave Cooma 3/98 at the interval and in a strong position to build upon their score after lunch.
Charlie Allen and Damo Hayden opened the bowling for Cooma with both having excellent first spells, to leave Marist 2/23 after 10 overs. Hughie Allen and Dan Swain came into the attack and continued to work to keep the ball pitched up to try and contain the Marist batsmen.
Andrew Devereux and Matthew Robinson both bowled tightly to leave Marist 4/70 from their first 25 overs.
Cooma came back in after the lunch break with plenty of wickets in hand to establish a high total. The lunch obviously did not agree with the Cooma batsmen, as extremely poor shot selection to leave Cooma 9/143 at the drinks break. Pat Connolly and Dan Swain needed to dig in as every run became crucial.
Cooma was bowled out for 155 which left Marist 85 to win from 25 overs. Charlie and Damo continued their good bowling to keep the run rate down. Damo then put the wicket keeping gloves back on as Andrew Devereux was brought back into the attack. This proved a masterstroke by Charlie Allen as Damo completed a terrific stumping to have Marist 7/109 at the drinks break.
Ben Lehman (46) proved very hard to remove but with Devereux claiming another wicket Marist were 9/119. Matthew Robinson was bowling exceptionally well to keep the scoring down leaving Marist still requiring 16 runs from the last two overs. Robbo kept his head and combined with a good catch from Pat Connolly saw Cooma to a very good victory and a spot in next weeks grand final.