Local cricketers star for Canterbury Under 17 side

Mid Canterbury’s three young cricketers who donned the red and black of Canterbury in the National Under 17 tournament over the past week might not have found glory, but they played their part in the week.

Jack Middleton, Toby Robinson and Lachie Jemmett all featured in the seven-day-long competition in Lincoln, playing throughout the week as part of a Canterbury side who struggled to get over the top of some of their rival regions, but made their mark all the same.

Two wins from their six matches highlighted the week’s work – both wins coming against Central Districts first in the longer format of the game and then in the final act of the competition in a T20 match on Monday.

Their week began with a seven-wicket loss to Otago to open the competition. Asked to bat first they made it through to 169 all out with Jemmett making a valuable contribution with the bat of 58 to start encouragingly.

Otago made light work of the run chase, but Robinson made an impact with the ball grabbing two of the three wickets taken.

The second match came against Northern District and after being set an imposing 306 for victory, the red and blacks fell short by 130 runs. Rob- inson was again in on the bowling action with two wickets.

Up against Auckland in the third game they gave themselves a chance by restricting their rivals to 212 but couldn’t get the necessary runs on the board and were all out for 169.

Both Jemmett and Middleton grabbed a wicket each in the bowling attack.

A first innings total of 291 against Central District pave the way for success with Robinson leading from the front with 39 runs near the top of the order and then 3-11 with the ball to help rip through the Central batting line up.

Wellington on Sunday was an-