Sport
9 January, 2026
MDCA under 13s contest the A.J. Martin Shield
The MDCA’s under 13 representative squad battled talented competition and the blistering heat this week as they participated in the A.J. Martin Shield.
With the competition aiming to provide a taster of representative sport to some of the best and brightest junior cricketers across the region in a fun and inclusive manner, the MDCA squad took on Gisborne Green, Castlemaine Gold and Ballarat Blue in the round robin phase.
Starting with an away trip to Gardiner Reserve on Monday, Gisborne Green showed no mercy to the visitors, ending the first innings on 9/299.
The MDCA showed prolonged resistance in the second innings, but were eventually bowled out for 26.
Colts Phelans’ Manny Shepard and Izayah Maffescioni played well against the tide, with Shepard taking 4/36 from six overs while Maffescioni top scored with 11, hitting two fours.
The MDCA suffered a similar fate at Jubilee Oval on Tuesday, with Castlemaine Gold setting a target of 3/250. Jonty Koop, vice captain Will Smith and Kane Zeuschner were the wicket-takers for the MDCA.
Zeuschner carried his impressive performance with the ball into the second innings with an unbeaten 13, but that didn’t stop Castlemaine Gold from bowling the MDCA out for 52.
With yesterday’s temperature sweltering to near 38 degrees in the afternoon, the MDCA’s clash with Ballarat Blue at Jubilee Oval was shortened to a T20 match.
After the MDCA sent them into bat, Ballarat Blue finished the first innings on 3/153 from their allotted 20 overs.
The MDCA put up a spirited fight in their response, but Ballarat Blue proved to be too much, restricting the hosts to 5/53 to complete an 100-run victory.