THE Greater Southern Marlins have been crowned champions of the NSW Youth Championships under 13s southern pool, after the completion of the seven-round matches.
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The Marlins, headlined by Bomaderry's Jackson Ingram, Bay and Basin's Ryan Malecki, Berry-Shoalhaven Heads' Matthew Page and North Nowra-Cambewarra's Harrison Wood, claimed the title by finishing on 25 points - one point ahead of the Illawarra Highlanders, who actually defeated Greater Southern in Sunday's final round.
Played at Bomaderry Oval, the hosts won the toss and sent the Highlanders to the crease.
Behind 103 from Blake Cattle and 40 from Joshua Garnero, the visitors posted 7/225 from their 40 overs.
Lucas Kay (2/28) claimed two wickets for the Marlins, while Ingram (1/19), Baxter McDonald (1/24) and Jaiden Robinson (1/34) took one scalp each.
In reply, despite starts from Blake Mackrell (41) and Ingram (31), the hosts finished at 7/142 - 83 runs short of the target, which handed them their first loss of the campaign.
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In the under 14s division, the Marlins, containing Berry's Max Carr-McCarron and Tom Fletcher, Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemens' Matthew Higham and Ulladulla United's Ryan Gilkes, finished in fifth, after losing their final match to Illawarra (6/280 to 8/77) at Gerry Emery Oval.
Standouts in the win were Nicolas Nicastri (114) and Fletcher Sutton (2/8), while Will Speering (2/54) and Flecher (35) did what they could in the loss.
Finally, the under 15s Marlins, a side coached by Batemans Bay's Andrew Malcolm and includes Berry's Alec Dobson, Cooper Bramley and Christian Page, Bay's Lachlan Malcolm and Ulladulla's Drew and Jay Ramsden, ended up in sixth - following a loss to Illawarra (9/187 to 166) at Hanging Rock.
Illawarra's best were Om Talwani (43), Willoughby Watson (4/14) and Victor Strange (3/18), as Thomas Giustiniani (2/9), Bramley (2/10), Callum Milsom (2/36) and Drew Ramsden (43) shone for the Marlins.