The NSW 15 Years All Schools Cricket team followed in the footsteps of the State’s senior team by claiming the Pura Milk Cup at the School Sport Australia National Championships in Maroochydore at the end of March.  Victoria was the losing opponent again in the junior game, with the NSW lads convincingly winning the Championship by 81 runs.

The week started with NSW playing Victoria in their first Pool game.  From the outset the Vic’s had our young guns under heavy pressure.  NSW batsmen struggled on a difficult pitch but finished with 9/153 from their 50 overs with Dean Solway (Karabar HS) making a solid contribution. Victoria chased the runs confidently and eventually needed less than 3 an over with 6 overs remaining.  Smart fielding then saw two late run outs and with superb bowling NSW only conceded 13 runs in the final 6 overs of the innings.  The Victorian’s finished on 8/149 giving the NSW boys an auspicious start to their championship defence.

Another two victories followed in the remaining Pool matches, with Queensland Invitational XI and A.C.T. easily accounted for.  This left NSW playing Tasmania in the semi-final.  The islanders were dismissed for 134 runs. Most of the damage was done by left arm quick Arjun Bagga (Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus) 3/12 and left arm orthodox spinner Josh Clarke (Jamison HS) 2/32. The bowlers were well supported by the fielders with 3 run-outs having a large bearing on the outcome of the game. NSW (6/173) had a comfortable victory.

The final saw NSW bat first, with the left-hand opener from Oakhill College leading from the front with 59 runs. He was well supported by the middle order with Ben Smith (Westfields Sports HS) 29, and Dean Solway (Karabar HS) 21, laying a platform for some late order hitting from Dean Bush (Westfields Sports HS) who powered his way to 42 off only 36 balls and pushed the innings tally to 9/213. The NSW bowlers and fielders then combined to restrict the Victorian scoring and dismissed their opponents for only 132 in the 47th over.

After Captain Ben Smith collected the Pura Milk Cup on behalf of the team the following boys had even more reason to celebrate when selected to tour the West Indies with the School Sport Australia National squad in November.

Ben Smith (Westfield Sports HS)
Arjun Bagga (Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus)
Joshua Clarke (Jamison HS)
Dean Bush (Westfields Sports HS)

Dean was player of the final.  This capped off a tremendous week for the NSW side as they became the first NSW team to remain undefeated at a National Championship, while defending the title they had won at Manuka Oval, Canberra in 2007.