Tara Murray
Riddell’s young guns are showing positive signs in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Jensen Shield with one making history on Saturday.
The Bombers have a mix of youth and experience in their first XI and it’s resulted in two wins so far.
On Saturday against Sunbury United, another youngster in Sophie Lindsay made her first XI debut.
Lindsay is part of the Bombers under-18 girls team with senior coach Michael Day said he believed it was the first time a female had played in their top side.
Her dad Mark Lindsay was also part of the side.
“As far as I’m aware of,” Day said in relation to Lindsay being the first female to play in their first XI.
“It was really good and we’re trying to change how the club goes about things. We brought her on for a bowl.
“She didn’t want to, but she was fantastic.”
Lindsay finished with two wickets in an exciting moment for the club.
Day said it was the youngsters across the board that really shone in the win against Sunbury United.
Harry Johnson made his first 50 in the first XI as a 17-year-old and put on a strong partnership with 19-year-old Owen Arthur.
“They were really good,” Day said. “They didn’t get a bat in the first game.
“We weren’t in as strong a position as we wanted to be and they put us in a really strong position.
“They stepped up a level as well.”
Day said they felt like the Bees had stepped up from their opening round loss.
The Bombers made 8-230 from their overs before restricting the Bees to 8-157.
Day said it was a really good team performance from their side.
“We made the most of our opportunities.”
The inclusion of Luke Castle back in the side this season has been a handy for the Bombers.
Day said it’s not just his influence on the field but also off it that has been beneficial.
‘He’s some that player for us in 2016-17 and helped win some McIntyre Cup premierships,” he said.
“He brings a lot of experience and wants to help out with the coaching stuff as well as being someone that can play.”
Day said they are focused on what they want to do this season.
“We want to get back up into Johnstone Shield,” he said. “That is the goal and we feel like the club is in a good position.
“We’re a little bit light on for players but hopefully we’ll have a few more come back.”
While the Bombers have started well, Day knows that there’s some good challenges ahead of them.
In round three, the Bombers host Melton South in one-dayer this Saturday.
