THE Under 17 Dowling Shield resumed its 2022 season on Wednesday, with nine matches taking place for the day across a number of grounds. The competition is in full swing at the moment, with no delays halting play as some of the state’s best young cricketers produce astounding performances both at an individual and team level. There are just two rounds remaining until the finals series gets underway, so sides are looking to get themselves in the best position possible for the postseason. This round saw some impressive team outings, but none more so than Geelong’s whopping performance with bat in hand.

Geelong (4/396) def. Greenvale Kangaroos 173

In one of the most dominant displays of cricket in recent memory, Geelong recorded a 223-run triumph over the Greenvale Kangaroos when the two sides faced off at Geelong Cricket Ground on Wednesday.

The home side won the toss and opted to bat first given the conditions. This proved to be the correct call, although it seems it did not matter when they batted, as they delivered the strongest performance at the crease we have seen this season. Opener Campbell Snooks quickly made his way to a half-century before he was run out, but it was his fellow opener who stole the show.

Geelong batsman Henry Melville has been in fine form of late, with a score of 142 coming from his opening outing. However, this was well and truly bested as he produced a season-high total of 205 runs against the Kangaroos. He was able to do as he pleased, and it mattered not who he faced. He smacked 26 boundaries and drove his side to a mammoth score. When he was caught just after reaching his double century, there was no doubt that he had likely set his side up for the win, as they finished with a score of 396.

The Kangaroos simply could not match this scoring output, struggling to get out the gates early. The Geelong bowlers were able to rip through their bowling order and despite an impressive 55-run effort from James Jarrett, the side was barely able to pass the 150-run mark as a team. They were bowled out for a score of 173 runs, with plenty of the Geelong bowlers claiming at least one wicket.

Around the grounds…

Around the grounds now, the Camberwell Magpies proved too strong for Carlton when the two sides clashed at Watson Park on Wednesday. The Magpies batted first and set the total at a respectable 194, and when Carlton headed out to bat, they would have still fancied themselves a chance. However, the Camberwell bowlers had a field day, with numerous players claiming multiple wickets.

Moving to Shepley Oval, Prahran claimed a big win when they went head-to-head with Dandenong on Wednesday afternoon. The victors headed out to bat first and made life difficult for their opponents by setting the required total as 236. Dandenong fell 59 runs short of this, as the Prahran bowlers had their way thanks to two players claiming three wickets each.

Over at Windy Hill, St Kilda have been able to claim their first win of the 2022 season by taking down Essendon on Wednesday. The visitors headed out to the crease first and were able to pass the 250 mark with their run total. Unfortunately for Essendon, they could not conjure up 200 runs themselves and fell 50 runs short of stealing the victory.

Moving west for the next match, Footscray were able to chase down the total set by Melbourne when the two teams locked horns at Mervyn G Hughes Oval. The visitors won the toss and batted first, but could only get themselves to a total of 193 runs. Footscray were able to chase this total down, but with just four overs remaining as they claimed their third win from three games.

In a low-scoring affair, Frankston Peninsula emerged victorious in their battle against Kingston Hawthorn at J Coburn Oval on Wednesday. The home side won the toss and sent their opponents out to the crease first, a move that worked wonders, with Kingston Hawthorn only able to conjure 142 runs. Frankston Peninsula had no troubles chasing this down as they moved to the top of the table in their pool.

Melbourne University found themselves bested by an impressive Fitzroy Doncaster side when the two sides went to battle at University Main Oval on Wednesday afternoon. In a thrilling affair, the home side batted first and set the total as 183, which could be defended. However, Fitzroy Doncaster were able to get the job done, albeit in tense circumstances with just three balls remaining and no wickets to spare.

An impressive partnership from the Lalor brothers has led Northcote to a strong win over Richmond at Bill Lawry Oval on Wednesday. Samuel (97 not out) and William (48 not out) were massive in helping their side chase down the required total of 176 runs set by their opponents. It was Northcote’s third win from three outings as they sit comfortably on top of the standings in their pool.

The final match of the round saw Casey-South Melbourne produce a terrific chasedown to defeat their opponents in Ringwood at Russell Lucas Oval. Ringwood made their way to the crease first and set a strong total of 257 runs in the first innings. However a 126-run (not out) knock from Casey-South Melbourne opener Atharv Deshpande led his team to an impressive score themselves, as they reached the total on the final ball.