The under-12’s format consists of a 40-over game with both sides batting 20 overs each before lunch and then continuing their innings with another 20 overs after the break. 

Dungog won the toss and sent Singleton into bat and the opening partnership of Kye Dann and Beau Parnell got the team off to a solid start, before Kye fell for 11 with the score on 22.

Newcomer Jesse Bates batted at no 3 and he and Parnell continued to score at a good rate. 

Bates was out for 13 just prior to the innings break and, at the 20-over interval, Singleton had reached a solid total of 63 for the loss of only two wickets.

In trying conditions, the bowlers then did a tremendous job to restrict Dungog to just 41 after their 20-over stint and they managed to claim four important scalps in the session.

The opening combination of Ebony Butler and Samuel Holz bowled tightly and restricted the Dungog openers as did Parnell when he came on at first change. 

The chief destroyer though was Dann as he bowled three wicket maidens and had figures of 3-5 at the end of Dungog’s first 20-over stint. 

Thomas Druery also chimed in with his deceptive spin bowling and snared a wicket, thanks to a good catch from Baxter Newberry.

Singleton continued their innings after the lunch interval and really pressed home the advantage of keeping wickets in hand.

At the half-way mark, they smashed 122 in the final 20 overs. 

Parnell and Mick Taylor both scored 39 runs (with seven boundaries) and played some wonderful shots. 

Druery (32 not out) thought it was far too hot to run between wickets and so he also struck no less than seven fours. 

Holz (11 not out) provided great support in a 42-run partnership with Druery and the innings finished at 6-176.

Special mention must also go to youngster Jackson Bourke who copped a few body shots but batted bravely at No.5 and figured in a great 30-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Singleton had effectively batted Dungog out of the game.

But, to their credit, the hosts managed to see out their full 40 overs and finished on 8-113. 

Holz and Parnell both took wickets in the final session and it was tremendous to see newcomers Mitchell Pike (1-7) and Caitlan Yallop both bowl and field well. 

Newberry showed that he had no problem with the step up from under-10s as he finished with 0-17 from his five overs. 

Bailey Smith was also great in the field but, unfortunately, he did not get a chance to impress with the ball.

However, he will get his opportunity next week against Upper Hunter.

Congratulations to the entire team on a great first up performance with both bat and ball and for the enthusiasm they showed in the field.