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Record-breaking knocks by two young Mid Canterbury cricketers at Hawke Cup level have senior rep coach Garfield Charles smiling about cricket seasons to come.
Angus Jemmett, 16, scored 108 on debut for the team against Otago Country last weekend while Archie Redfern, 18, scored 94.
Charles said the impressive tallies helped Mid Canterbury post 327, but Otago Country scored 331 for 8 in reply and collected the first innings points.
He said the batting of Angus and Archie was a huge highlight of the game. The pair are among several youngsters Charles is blooding into the side.
"If these guys stay around, in the next few years we will be a force."
Charles said Angus’ 108 was a sensational knock. The Ashburton College first XI cricketer opened the batting with Nick Gilbert, who departed in the fifth over.
He said Angus gave the Otago Country fielders just one chance and played a classic opener’s knock, his runs coming off 224 balls over two sessions. He was eventually caught at mid-on.
Archie, batting at No 3, also showed his quality, hitting his 94 off 178 balls and always looking in control.
"Unfortunately he fell short of his century. They set a leg side field for the short delivery and he gloved one."
While Angus will be back this season, Archie had knee surgery this week and is unlikely to play again in this Hawke Cup campaign.
Charles said the Christchurch Boys’ High School cricketer had a bright future and would be aiming to make the Canterbury Under 19s again, and higher, when he had recovered.
Angus and Archie created a new record Mid Canterbury partnership (176) for any wicket against Otago Country. Captain James Southby also scored 53 and starred with the ball, taking 4 wickets. Other wicket-takers were Shaun Stagg 2-60 and Will Graham 1-38 and Jay Houston 1-46.
Two games remain in the Hawke Cup and Mid Canterbury will take on North Otago at Aorangi Oval in Timaru this weekend.
Charles said with Redfern and opener Nick Gilbert unavailable, 15-year-old Devon Flannery would get a chance to play.
Mid Canterbury then faces Southland at Timaru on February 22 and 23. The side’s other Hawke Cup match against South Canterbury in early December was abandoned when floodwaters in the Rangitata River shut down road access to Timaru.