A Day to Remember: Cricket Century and School Celebrations
In a story that perfectly blends sporting dedication with teenage milestones, Wests wicketkeeper-batsman Harry Dunn created a memory he will never forget this past Saturday. The All Saints College student was supposed to leave the cricket match early to prepare for his highly anticipated school formal. However, as his innings at Harker Oval progressed, those plans were delightfully scrapped.
Plans Change as Runs Flow
What was meant to be a brief appearance at the crease turned into a career-defining performance. Coming in at number five before lunch, Dunn proceeded to smash his way to his maiden first-grade century in the Newcastle District Cricket Association competition. His brilliant 138-run innings came from just 105 balls, a knock filled with powerful stroke play that included 14 fours and six sixes.
As the teenager focused on his batting, a well-orchestrated operation unfolded behind the scenes. With the clock ticking towards his formal, his parents had to dash back to their home in Maitland to collect his suit. Meanwhile, his supportive Wests teammates stepped up, packing his kit bag so he could make a swift exit once his batting duties were over.
Team Effort Behind the Scenes
Joseph Price, the experienced all-rounder captaining Wests in place of James King, was full of praise for the young cricketer's composure and the team's collective effort. "We didn't want to make any arrangements with the batting until we got into the day," Price explained. "We didn't want to leave him sitting on the bench when he had to go. But it worked out really well. Wickets fell at the right time and he had about two-and-a-half hours to go."
Price was impressed by Dunn's mature approach. "He just batted really well. Hit them well, some clean striking. He's pretty wise beyond his years... He just batted with so much freedom and it was good to watch." The captain also highlighted the teamwork, noting, "There was a bit of networking going on in the background with his family... and all the boys [teammates] chipped in and got all of his stuff ready."
After finally being dismissed around 3:30pm, Dunn took a moment to relish his incredible achievement—a first senior century—before quickly changing into his formal attire and departing to join his school friends for the end-of-year celebration.
Round Six of NDCA Action
In the broader context of round six in the NDCA first-grade competition, Wests were eventually bowled out for 345, with seven other batsmen reaching double figures but none passing fifty. In reply, University reached 1-36 before the close of play. Price expressed hope that Dunn would "take a couple of screamers behind the stumps for us" on day two.
Other notable results from the two-day fixtures included:
- Wallsend all out for 229, with Stockton finishing at 1-2.
- City posting 244 against Hamilton-Wickham, who were 2-8 in reply.
- Charlestown making 269, with Waratah-Mayfield at 3-41 in their first innings.
- Merewether dismissed for 170, with Cardiff-Boolaroo at 2-43.
- Belmont needing 70 more runs with seven wickets in hand after dismissing Toronto for 168.
In related women's cricket news, the back-to-back defending champions Newcastle Blasters will not contest a third successive NSW Country Regional Bash crown after falling short against the Central Coast on Saturday.
