In terms of sporting clubs, it’s as close to the ideal scenario as possible.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A first grade team full of homegrown talent.
Charlestown all-but fit that criteria this Saturday with 10 Magpies juniors in the first XI.
And only one is over the age of 23.
“It’s very pleasing,” Charlestown coach, former NSW representative and Newcastle District Cricket Association life member Michael Hill said.
“Obviously there’s a good relationship between the junior and senior clubs. The numbers of Charlestown juniors are good throughout the lower grades as well.”
The situation arises on the second day of Charlestown’s two-day encounter against Toronto at Ron Hill Oval with Luke Hitchcock replacing captain Jed Dickson, who is away representing Newcastle at the NSW Country Championships on the South Coast.
Hitchcock is a Charlestown junior and joins fellow Magpies products Daniel Arms, Matthew Bench, Daniel Chillingworth, Josh Claridge, Josh Edwards, Rory Maddison, Michael Richardson, Aaron Payne and Isaac Wallace in the same side.
Dickson hails from the Kotara South junior ranks, which Hill said were linked to Charlestown at the time but aren’t anymore but “we still claim him as one of ours”.
Beresfield boy Bayley McGill, in his second season at Charlestown, is the only player from elsewhere.
“It’s a rare set of circumstances,” Hill said.
In terms of ages, just Payne is plus 30 while absent Dickson has almost hit the same milestone.
The rest of the current Charlestown XI are 23 or under, including four 18-year-olds.
Hill said it was “two full seasons ago” that the club started to promote those younger players into the top grade.
The Magpies are the reigning club champions.
In this particular match, the undefeated Charlestown face a “big chase” after hosts Toronto posted 301, featuring 102 to Kookaburras skipper Adrian Chad, on Saturday.
The Magpies resume at 0-16 after facing five overs late on day one with Arms and Bench the not out batsmen.
Maddison was the best with the ball, taking 4-62 from 20 overs while McGill finished with figures of 3-23.
Elsewhere in round six and competition leaders Hamilton-Wickham are bolstered on day two by the return of key all-rounder Sam Webber (overseas) who replaces Newcastle representative wicketkeeper Ben Balcomb.
Hamwicks made 214 but only lead title holders Wests by 152 runs at Harker Oval after the Rosellas finished 1-62 from 17 overs, thanks largely to Joseph Price (52 not out, 7-49).
Wallsend, minus Newcastle captain Nathan Price (47 not out), resume at 1-80 in pursuit of Waratah-Mayfield’s 216 at Wallsend Oval.
Cardiff-Boolaroo (2-46) require a further 199 runs with eight wickets in hand against Belmont (244) at Cardiff No.2.
Visiting Stockton are 1-22 chasing University’s 256.
City need 319 for victory over Merewether at Townson Oval.