THE Hamilton Hurricanes continued their junior country week campaigns with the Under-17s in Warrnambool and the Under-15s in Horsham.

The Under-15s started the week with one win and one narrow loss ahead of a clash against Wimmera Mallee at City Oval on Wednesday.

The Hurricanes won the toss and batted first, as Harry Austin and Campbell Glazebrook both managed 17 runs before falling, as Eddie McShane continued his strong form with the bat to hold the innings together.

The number three got to 41 before he was dismissed and with the middle order unable to contribute, the Hamilton team was restricted to 8-169 from its 50 overs, despite Jackson Ellis’ best efforts in the lower order with 25 runs.

Wimmera Mallee got off to a positive start in the run chase and the Hurricanes were unable to create enough wicket chances, as a 48-run second wicket partnership and a 47-run fifth wicket partnership helped get the team to 6-171 in the 44th over.

The result meant Hamilton went through to face Horsham in a preliminary final on Thursday at Dudley Cornell Park.

Hamilton lost the toss and bowled first, getting early wickets to grab the momentum early in the contest.

Josh Jones grabbed two of the top three batsmen, as the Hurricanes heaped the pressure on Horsham with the home side struggling at 3-13.

A stunning 73-not-out from Horsham’s Jackson Hoffman and Dylan Newell’s 51 helped push the total to 7-178 from 50 overs.

Jones was unable to replicate his strong performance with the bat, dismissed for one, while his opening partner, Glazebrook, put together a disciplined innings.

He combined with Isaac Shaw to add 81 runs for the third wicket before Shaw was dismissed for 33, with Glazebrook falling two runs later for 40.

The Hurricanes closed their innings on 8-183, passing the target with less than three overs remaining.

The week closed with a Twenty20 against Western Barbarians with the Hurricanes batting first and blasting a big total.

George Huf and Eli Hunter both retiring on 50, while Lachlan Phillips fell one run short of the same total, as the Hurricanes got to 3-228.

A disciplined bowling performance from the Hurricanes restricted the Barbarians to 7-150, finishing the week on a winning note.

Hamilton coach, Lachie Watt said he was impressed with how the team played.

“It was a fantastic week, the boys developed really well and we got really close to Warrnambool Blue, who was an eventual finalist,” he said.

“These competitions are really hard to win and I think we can be very happy with how the boys have represented the association.

“All in all, it was a fantastic week, great performance from Eddie McShane to make 95 as well.”

Watt said the camaraderie had grown throughout the week and the players enjoyed being able to play with others who are usually opponents.

“They have all become best mates, this is my third year doing it and that is my favourite part,” he said.

Eddie McShane was the standout batsman all week, leading from the front and Watt was glad to see him have an influence on games.

“He was struggling for runs before the tournament, he is my vice-captain and I wanted him to bat at number three all week,” he said.

“He had a nice mature head and thought his (95-run) innings though.

“Campbell Glazebrook was picked to be the opener to dig in and he made 40 on Thursday and blunted the new ball on Wednesday and was another standout.

“Eli Hunter with the ball, Brodie and Lachie Phillips both with bat and ball and Harry Austin was an amazing skipper as a bottom-age player.

“Overall, I was really happy with the week.”

Under-17

IT was a tough week for the Under-17s, as they started the week with three losses across the first two days.

Wednesday’s schedule saw the Hurricanes face-off against South West at Jack Keane Oval, electing to bowl first after winning the toss.

Fraser Hill grabbed three scalps, while Tyler Ellis and George Austin each picked up two, as Hamilton bowled out South West for 113 inside 39 overs.

The batting was equally as good, as Henry Bensch (63) and Ellis (50) set a strong example to guide the team to 268, as the final wicket fell.

The win boosted morale and the team then progressed through to Thursday’s finals.

Hamilton faced Portland at D.W. Jones Oval and a stunning spell of bowling from Ellis kept Portland to 8-163 after 50 overs.

The Hamilton all-rounder finished with figures of 4-31 from 10 overs to be the standout on the day.

The Hurricanes then set about chasing the target and once again it was Bensch who anchored the innings, scoring another half century, while Jock Barrie chipped in with 45 to guide Hamilton to victory, reaching 7-171.

The Hurricanes faced Colac at Avery’s Paddock on Friday to finish the campaign with Archie Cameron’s 39 and Hill’s 26 guiding the Hurricanes to 8-122 in the T20 clash.

Tight bowling from Hamilton had Colac well behind the required run rate, sitting at 1-33 in the ninth over at time of print.

Noah Cameron was the wicket-taker.