The annual Western Bay cricket age group migration to Wanganui started with a bang with the Western Bay Under-12s returning home with an unbeaten record.

The champion Western Bay Under-12s team.

In recent seasons, Western Bay Cricket has sent a number of teams to the Wanganui age group representative competitions as part of the association's youth development programme.

This season, seven Western Bay teams will take part in the annual tournament, which attracts sides from throughout the North Island.

The Western Bay representatives opened their Wanganui campaign by chasing down the Hamilton total of 155 with four wickets to spare.

Reuben Fitzgerald took 3/22 with the ball with Craig Baldry top scoring with 28 runs.

Game two was a cruise in the park for the Western Bay youngsters against Wanganui.

They posted 109/9 in the 30 over encounter with Kata Brill in charge with the bat posting 29 runs.

Blake Gilroy led the demolition of Wanganui taking three wickets for three runs as the home side was bundled out for just 38.

Manawatu also fell relatively easily to the Western Bay challenge.

After the visitors posted 102/9, Mikaere Leef ripped through the opposition reply grabbing five wickets at a cost of just nine runs as Manawatu was removed for 76.

The closest game for the Western Bay side came against Howick.

After Westren Bay posted 99/9, their opponents were held to 82/9 when the match concluded.

The Western Bay side posted another comfortable win over a North Island Invitation team.

David Rout top scored with 30 as his side reached 119/3 before Kata Brill, who took 3/11, was instrumental in assisting to dismiss the opposition for 63.

The last game of the tournament saw the Western Bay side chase down Eastern Districts total of 120 for the loss of four wickets.

Brendan Fletcher returned his side's best bowling figures of 3/15 with Ruben Fitzgerald (43) and Craig Baldry (23no) in charge with the bat.

The Western Bay side not only finished the tournament with an unbeaten record, but also with the challenge ‘bat' in their possession.

Next week three teams of Western Bay Under-13 (Year Eight) youngsters will travel to the mid North Island location – with two Under-11 (Year Six) sides and an Under-15 (Year 10) side travelling to Wanganui in the third week of the tournament.

Wanganui Under-12 Cricket Tournament Results

Hamilton 115 (Ruben Fitzgerald 3/22) lost to Western BOP 116/6 (Craig Baldry 28)

Western BOP 109/9 (Kata Brill 29) defeated Wanganui 38 (Blake Gilroy 3/3)

Western BOP 102/5 defeated Manawatu 76 (Mikaere Leef (5/9)

Western BOP 99/9 defeated Howick 82/9

Western BOP 119/3 (David Rout 30) defeated North Island Invitation X1 – 63 (Kata Brill 3/11)

Eastern Districts 120 (Brendan Fletcher 3/15) lost to Western BOP 121/4 (Ruben Fitzgerald 43, Craig Baldry 23no)

Western BOP 2012 Year Seven Team

Craig Baldry, Kata Brill, James Cornelius, Daniel Courtis, Ruben Fitzgerald, Brendan Fletcher, Blake Gilroy, Jack Gordon, Mikaere Leef, Andrew Mascall, Kinnon Nelson, David Rout.

Coach: Steve Baldry

Manager: Wayne Brill