Matthew and Nick the two star Rascals
CRICKET: There were shades of Lords and the 98 by No.11 Ashton Agar as the last pair from Railway Hotel Rascals scored more than half the runs for the team in Sunday's Condamine Cup knockout semi-final at Mayhew Oval.
Playing against Allora, Rascals batted first and were 9-64 and nearing elimination from the competition when Matthew Christensen strode to the wicket to join No.9 batsman Nick Van Der Poel.
At age 14, it was a great thrill for Christensen to play a match-winning innings in a partnership of 73.
"I only played two games last season and my score on Sunday is the highest of my career," he said. "During the innings, I was asking myself how am I making all these runs.
"I was caught the first time I tried to hit one over the top. I said 'Oh No' when I hit it."
Christensen hit five fours in 35 before being caught on the boundary. Van Der Poel is his team's leading wickettaker this season and bats at No.9 or No.10 for the Rascals.
"Between overs, we would say to each other not to do anything silly and play our natural games," Van Der Poel said.
He hit five fours and a six over long on in an unbeaten 38.
The partnership of 73 took the Rascals score to 137, 21 more than Allora's reply.
