Playing in the Under 15s Country division against the Illawarra Highlanders, Ingram's knock propelled the Marlins to a total of 8-252 from 50 overs at Bellambi Point Park in Wollongong.

While pleasing to the Shoalhaven District Cricket Association, Ingram's innings came as no surprise to those who are aware of the youngster's reputation.

"Jackson plays with the Berry-Shoalhaven Heads in the juniors and plays Bomaderry seniors when he can," SDCA rep coordinator, Dave Morris, said.

"He's a special talent ... 88 off 70-odd balls, it was fantastic, attacking cricket which is what he's renowned for."

But he was not the only young player from Shoalhaven to make a score in the game.

Ryan Malecki, from Bay and Basin, scored 48 opening the batting and put on a colossal partnership of 131 with Ingram.

"He's another really great young talent, and a good young man," Morris said.

After their enormous collaboration, Malecki and Ingram were dismissed within 11 runs of one another at 2-135 and 3-146 respectively.

A collapse threatened as the Marlins lost two more wickets for less than five runs, before an unbeaten half-century from Blake Mackrell and a quick 30 from Jarryd White saw the team through to the end of the innings.

Illawarra's chase was seriously hampered by a haul of 3-24 from young Berry-Shoalhaven Heads quick, Campbell Bramley.

"They're all special talents in their disciplines," Morris said.

"Campbell Bramley is sensational with the ball, and Jackson's stats speak for themselves. He's an amazing talent for Shoalhaven and the other teams that he plays in, and so is Ryan. They're great young men representing the district."

The Highlanders were all out for 160 in pursuit, resulting in a 92-run win for the Marlins.

The Marlins Under 14s and Under 13s teams also played in the Youth Championships over the weekend, but both fell to defeats against Illawarra.

The Under 14s were dismissed for 50 in pursuit of the Highlanders' total of 91.

North Nowra-Cambewarra's Beau Lynch was the standout of the Shoalhaven players in the side, with a miserly spell of 1-12 from five overs at first change.

The Under 13s, meanwhile, lost a close game by four wickets at the Kiama Sporting Complex.

Batting first, the Marlins put together 8-91 from 40 overs, as Bay and Basin's Jesse Walters (16) and Batemans Bay's Nick Wain (14) were both among the top scorers for the innings.

In response, Illawarra wobbled after Ulladulla's Lachlan Barry bowled seven stunning overs for three wickets, nine runs, and three maidens.

But the Highlanders managed to score off the other Marlins bowlers, and limped to a close win with four wickets and 3.5 overs remaining.

Kent Ellery of the Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemen also bowled well but without luck to take 0-19 from eight overs (including two maidens).

Although they were not as successful as their older counterparts, the two younger Marlins sides will take valuable lessons away from these games.

"[This experience] is vital. You can play at certain levels at local, you can play at certain levels at district, but this is a step up again," Morris said.

"You're playing against the best talent from across the state at the Country Championships."

The Youth Championships will continue this weekend. The Marlins will play a further four games in Dubbo across Monday, December 20, and Tuesday, December 21, before returning to the South Coast for two final fixtures on January 9 and 10.

Ahead of next week's matches, Morris is optimistic about the Marlins' chances - particularly the Under 15s side.

"Certainly the 15s are a very strong chance, especially going in off such a strong victory over Illawarra," he said.

"The other two teams will be better for the experience, they've got some great talent. We're pretty confident our Shoalhaven boys will do well."

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