FRESH from receiving a Sporting Blue award for outstanding achievements in cricket, Tomaree High schoolboy Lucas Vincent returned to the Newcastle District first grade cricket competition in style last weekend.

The rising fifteen-year-old cricketer from Salamander Bay padded up for Stockton and Northern Districts against University at Bernie Curran Oval – just six days after representing Newcastle in the early rounds of the prestigious Bradman Cup series in Kempsey.

Lucas compiled an unbeaten 37 as the Seagulls posted a formidable 7 declared 360 on the opening day of their round eight clash with the embattled students, which will resume this Saturday.

Vincent was joined on Newcastle representative duties by Seagulls club mate Tyler McInnes of Corlette, with the talented duo playing key roles in Twenty20 victories over Central Coast and Central North and the one day triumph over North Coastal.

The Bradman Cup tournament features the leading under 16 male cricketers from across regional NSW and will reconvene in the Illawarra area from January 8-11 to complete the competition.

Newcastle and Greater Illawarra remain the only undefeated sides after three rounds with gun batsman Vincent the leading run scorer with 142.

“We are in a strong position after winning our three matches and head down to the south coast in the New Year with some confidence,” the NSW Combined High Schools representative told News Of The Area.

Lucas said the long boundaries and slow outfields at the Kempsey grounds were a “huge challenge”.

The stylish batsman carved out scores of 40 and 20 in the Twenty20 fixtures and impressed keen judges with a superb knock of 82 in the sixty seven run win over North Coastal.

A determined Lucas faced 98 balls and cracked two boundaries and two sixes in the tough conditions as Newcastle posted 9-202 from their 50 overs.

Leg-spinning all rounder McInnes had the proud distinction of captaining the Newcastle team and picked up five wickets in the Twenty20 matches including 3-23 against Central Coast.

The St Philip’s Christian College Salamander Bay student is one of the brightest leg-spinning prospects in the Hunter region and will play in the coveted A.W Green Shield series this summer for the Gordon club.

His good mate Lucas will also participate in the showpiece Under 16 competition when he lines up for a second campaign with Grand Finalists Hawkesbury.

By Chris KARAS