01 Dec 2022
What do Sir Edmund Hillary, the Wright brothers and The Swooping Magpies all have in common? That’s right, they have all achieved historic firsts. Sir Edmund walked up a hill, Orville and Wilbur got sick of walking, and the mighty magpies became the first ever team from little old Lennox Head Public School to win a state sporting championship. State champions! It certainly has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?
On November 29 the pride of the Northern Rivers embarked on an epic journey to Bathurst in the quest for PSSA Cricket’s holy grail. Their first game of the day was versus Tamworth PS with our team winning the toss and electing to bowl. Lennox Head kept the team from the New England region to 118 off their 25 overs and then ran down the target with only two wickets lost in the 20th over.
After a dominant win in the semi, we then had to face off against Warrawee PS in the final. This time our opponents won the toss and sent us in to bat. The Magpies batsmen set their second highest tally of the entire knockout series with an impressive 6/128 off 25 overs. Inspired bowling and fielding from Lennox saw a tight tussle ensue with Warrawee at one stage requiring a run a ball off the last 7 overs to snatch victory for the Sydneysiders. The Magpies lifted to another level and ended up running away victors with a hard fought 11 run win over the fancied Northern Sydney outfit. This win capped nine straight victories for Lennox Head and meant that the Brian Taber Shield was coming to our proud school for the first time ever.
Every player once again played with energy and respect for their opposition. Tully C, our inspiring leader, played true captain’s knocks with the bat scoring 40 not out and 22 not out respectively and bowled impressively throughout both games. Billy B played a fantastic innings in the final with a grinding 17 runs at an important time for his team. Kobe McL dazzled the crowd with some fine hitting in both games scoring 21 and 34. Harry R bowled with frightening pace and regularly troubled his opponents in both games taking two wickets. Beau G also toiled hard with the ball and bowled accurately with miserly figures in both games. Henry R was like a whippet between the wickets and bowled a fine over at the death of the final. Ed N played the pinch hitter role in both games scoring 29 not out and 14 respectively. Joel W worked hard behind the stumps for 50 overs, an impressive effort in the heat and off the back of an up and down pitch. Archie B bamboozled his opponents with some outstanding leg spin bowling and took advantage of the inconsistent turf wicket. Hayley A bowled with precision, halting the run rate at an important time for her team. Zac D was lightning in the field, often putting his body on the line to save vital runs for the Magpies. And lastly Max P, the little engine that could, with his unbelievably tight bowling to bring it home at the end and ensure that his team were crowned champions. A true team effort.
Once again, I’d like to thank all the parents for their help in making this trip happen. It was a huge commitment to travel halfway across the state and I know the students are highly appreciative. To Kerren K for scoring, thank you! I’m so glad you could be part of this great day for our school. Lastly, my players are a fantastic group of kids. They have been a pleasure to coach all year and I’ve had a blast riding this journey with you all. Over and out.
Mr Robb
Super Coach