Finn the shining light on return

A LITTLE rust could have been expected for Townsville Cricket juniors after enduring three weeks of rain frustration.

But the extended break did nothing to stop Suburban Parks’ Finn Carroll blasting an unforgettable weekend.

The young Redback proved a match-winner in both the under-15s and under-17s as he reinforced his selections in the under-14 Northern Flames and 13-15 Years Northern Schoolboys representative teams earlier this season.

Carroll’s miserly 0-6 off four overs and 56 with the bat helped guide Subs to victory over Brothers in the under-15s.

But it was in the older agegroup where the 14-year-old l e f t - h a n d e d batter really fired. The spin bowler took an incredible 3-9 from six overs as he partnered with opening quick Ryan Scodellaro (3-24) to rip through Wests and dismiss the Magpies for just 108 off 28 overs at Riverway Stadium.

Then he went to work with the bat. Carroll (pictured) cracked nine fours and a six as he amassed an unbeaten 81 from 108 deliveries as Suburban Parks won and took a stranglehold on top spot and a place in the grand final with one game of the one-day regular season left.

But Carroll and his Redbacks still have an almighty fight on their hands to reach the U15s decider after the heroics of Norths’ Ted Muller (50) and Kai Adami (50) ensured the Red Men amassed a match-winning 221-run target against Northern Beaches.

Drew Munaro and Joshua Neilson’s three-wicket hauls helped bundle out the visitors for 108 to all but secure a toptwo finish and a place with Wests in the grand final ahead of this weekend’s last round.