The under-12s came up against a good Shoalhaven side.

For all bar three of the team, it was their first taste of Representative cricket.

The team put in a good effort but went down by 79 runs.

Shoalhaven batted first and the Highlands picked up an early wicket from Will Gilbert, who with Harry Kowalski, started well with the new ball.

The Highlands had to wait a little longer for the second wicket with some good batting from the Shoalhaven team taking the score to 1-80 in the 16th over.

Will Torr made the breakthrough clean bowling their opener for 29 and then the floodgates opened as Annalee Watson tore through their middle order with two wickets in her first over followed by another clean bowled in her second and a fourth also clean bowled in her third over to reduce Shaolhaven to 7/107 in the 25th over. 

Shoalhaven’s tail order batsmen also batted well to add another 47 to the score as they were dismissed for 154.

Harry Mooney and Will Torr started well with the bat.

But the Highlands came up against two quick opening bowlers who after Mooney had rocked onto the back foot and deposited one of them over square leg knocked over Mooney, Torr, Jason Campese and Sam Harwood within six overs to have them at 4-13.

Tom Olofsen and captain Jesse Hol then set about getting the Highlands back on track with a great partnership of 54.

After Olofsen was caught behind for six, Maeve Kaufline steadied one end sticking with Hol for another seven overs with the score progressing to 5-73 at drinks.

Shortly after Hol holed out to mid wicket a few balls after drinks for an excellent 43 form the skipper.

The Highlands was dismissed for 75 off 26 overs.

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Annalee Watson produced an outstanding bowling effort of 4-12 from four overs along with Will Gilbert’s opening spell and figures of 2-19.

Olofsen and Hols’ 54 run partnership, the individual 43 with the bat for Jesse (Hols) scoring more than 50 per cent of the team’s total, and a great catch from Darcy Kent running backwards and taking a two handed grab at deep point to take the last Shoalhaven wicket were all highlights of the match.

The Highlands next match will be against South Coast .

In the under-14 match, the Highlands enjoyed a six wicket win against Illawarra.

Winning the toss, the Highlands sent Illawarra in to bat and produced a strong bowling performance to dismiss their opponents for 103 after 35.3 overs.

Darcy McNamara was the pick of the Highlands bowlers, finishing with figures of 4-26 from his eight overs.

He was well supported by Oliver O'Riordan (2-14) with Hayden Willebrand, Finn Kaufline, William Thomson and  Noah Vettoretto all picking up a wicket each.

The Highlands then chased down the total in 31 overs to finish at 4-105.

Opening batsman Thomson contributed a handy 25 before he was run out.

Willebrand (39) and Hal Canute (14) were both unbeaten at the crease when the Highlands claimed victory.

Also up against Shoalhaven in the under-16 match, the Highlands suffered a 124 run loss in their opening round match.

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