Photo: Greg Symes.
The Esperance Junior Cricket Association 2025/26 competitions began on Saturday morning, with children all around the district waking up early eager to start the new season in good form.
The Multi-sports ground was a flurry of activity for parents and children alike as the under 14s, under 11s and Woolworths Blasters kicked off the new season.
Photo: Greg Symes.
With registration numbers slightly down in the under 14s from last season, the four traditional four teams combined to make two bigger and stronger outfits, which allows for playing longer format matches.
The Elders Blue Dogs, representing the Thunder and Hurricanes, scored 109 as the Scorchers and Strikers combined for the Belair Diamonds to smash 137 to win the match.
The Belair Diamonds round one awards were presented to Ruby Petrie and Charlie Wells from the Scorchers and Luca Sullivan and Alexander Hay from the Strikers, respectively.
Photo: Greg Symes.
For the Elder Blue Dogs, Nicholas Welke and Jan-Albert van der Westhuizen (Thunder) and George Vermeersch and Darcy Ros-Hunt (Hurricanes) also collected player of the match awards.
The under 11s players were treated to the luxury of playing on the new instant cricket matting, which was donated, a bounce-friendly pitch which will see the players skills rise immeasurably.
Photo: Greg Symes.
The Woolworths Blast program also commenced for 49 of the Association’s youngest members, the Blast children learning the basics of the game through exciting activities and modified exercises.
Meanwhile the EJCA under 17s launched its season last Wednesday evening at the Esperance Cricket Ground under lights, where the Thunder were victorious 3-121 to the Scorcher’s 106.
