Schools
19 December, 2022
School awards and cricketing highlights for Wamuran-Stanley River juniors
THE past several weeks have been memorable for Wamuran-Stanley River junior cricketers Rory Lang, Marcus Abdy and Jack Southgate.
Rory and Marcus had the distinction of winning a school dux award, and Rory and Jack also scored their first ever centuries.
Marcus also captured a hat-trick in junior cricket.
Rory was named Year Six Academic Dux at Mount Mee State School on the night of Friday December 2, before he and Jack scored their breakthrough centuries the following day.
Rory’s dad Danny said his son was “obviously quite pleased and proud of what he had achieved”, regarding the dux award.
“We had a pretty good idea he would receive it on the basis of his marks throughout the year, but the announcement is always kept secret until announced on the night,” Danny said.
With Rory starting secondary school at Grace Lutheran College (Caboolture campus) in the upcoming year, Danny said his son looked forward to it but with mixed feelings.
“He has enjoyed his time at Mount Mee State School and therefore sad that this chapter of his life has come to an end,” Danny said.
Less than 24 hours after his school award night, Rory slammed 21 fours and two sixes in his 117 not out at number three for Wamuran-Stanley River’s U13B South team against USC White at Brightwater State School.
Rory subsequently returned tidy figures of 1/12 from five overs, and also produced a run-out as USC White was restricted to 4/121 in reply to 4/201 in the 30 overs-per-side contest.
Danny said Rory was “very excited of course” to score his maiden century, “but he was quite tired from the previous night which was the school award night where he received his dux award”.
Rory continued his sparkling form last Saturday with 75 not out and figures of 2/10 from five overs, as his team made 5/182 before beating host team Glasshouse by 20 runs.
Marcus received his dux award at the Wamuran State School awards night on November 30. His mum Courtney later said her son “hoped for it and had been working towards it all year but wasn’t aware until they announced that night that he was receiving it”.
After receiving the award, Marcus said he felt thrilled that he “had finally achieved” what he had been working towards.
With Marcus set to attend Tullawong State High School in the upcoming year, he said he was “really looking forward to high school” and was “excited about making new friends and learning new things”.
A cricketing teammate of Rory’s, Marcus achieved his hat-trick at Wamuran Sports Reserve, four days before receiving his school dux award.
Marcus finished with 4/17 in his team’s victory against Caboolture Labuschagne.
Another cricketing highlight for Marcus was on November 12 when he made 20, his highest score so far. His improvement with the bat continued last Saturday as he scored 18 not out, and was the team’s second top scorer while Rory top-scored.
Jack meanwhile scored his ton for Wamuran-Stanley River’s U15B team, against Nambour Yandina at the Nambour Showground and Sportsground.
Jack returned figures of 3/27 from eight overs as an opening bowler, and held a catch while the hosts made a decent total of 9/221 in their allotted 55 overs on day one.
Opening the batting in the run chase on day two, Jack hit 15 fours as his 104 not out helped the visiting team to 5/269.
Jack’s teammates Grayson Brand (58 not out) and Daniel Miller (48) also enjoyed their time in the middle.
Having been run out for 87 in a match last season, Jack said it was exciting to crack three figures this season.
“I just kept ticking the runs over and digging in,” he said.
“I retired on 94 and after the others were out, I went back in.”
Jack said he felt in “pretty good form” but not quite at his peak.
On the schooling front, Jack is set to start year 9 at St Columban’s College in the New Year.
