On Tuesday, 10 Wyvern students competed at the MILO Cup Cricket regional finals held at Gannons Park in Peakhurst. On a fantastically warm late August day, the boys were keen to do well and progress to the State finals. The first match against St Joseph’s Riverwood saw a convincing 92 – 63 victory with Ben Leung and Tim Pritchard the main scorers. Pritchard also took wickets with Patrick Fitzgerald making the run scoring difficult with wickets of his own.

The second game was against a strong CBHS Lewisham team. Wyvern once again prevailed winning 75 – 60 in a tight contest. Tom Marches and Ned Barnett-Hepples were the run scorers with Sam Churchin and Lewis Barnes limiting the Lewisham batsmen with precise bowling. The 3rd pool match saw Wyvern meet Clovelly PS needing a win to progress undefeated to the finals. This match saw a great batting display from Aaron Hawkes, Ben Leung and Tim Pritchard amassing a total of 90 from 8 overs. Henry Cain bowled exceptionally well helping restrict Clovelly to the small total of 39.

After the 3 wins from 3 pool games Wyvern impressively qualified for a final against South Coogee, with the winner progressing to the State Finals to be at Blacktown International Sportspark, next Term. Wyvern took to the field with Leung, Barnett-Hepples, Churchin and Marchese amongst the wicket takers. The Wyvern bowlers destroyed the South Coogee top order, eventually bowling them out within 8 overs for a total of 44. The Wyvern team took to the batting crease with positive vibes after such a great bowling performance. These were quickly shaken with captain Ben Leung dismissed along with Pritchard in the 1st over. Wickets continued to tumble with Wyvern in a dire position still requiring 30 runs with only 2 wickets in hand. Another wicket and it looked like the dream of the State finals was all over for Wyvern. Marc Mardini was the last batsmen standing in the way of a South Coogee triumph. With a further 9 runs required off the last over Mardini showed immense skill and poise to surpass South Coogee’s total with a few balls to spare. Marc’s teammates ran to congratulate him on the “great escape” and to shake hands with the valiant opponents. I would like to congratulate the boys on their victory and for the humility and sportsmanship they displayed during the tightly contested final.

Coach – Joel Wilson

Milo Cup Team- Ben Leung, Tim Pritchard, Sam Churchin, Tom Marchese, Ned Barnett-Hepples, Lewis Barnes, Patrick Fitzgerald, Henry Cain, Aaron Hawkes, Marc Mardini