Sport
25 January, 2024
Maryborough and Carisbrook honour Craig Jennings’ legacy with outstanding match
It was a Saturday afternoon game played in the best of spirits. But Saturday’s A reserve clash between Maryborough and Carisbrook was so much more than a regular home-and-away clash, it was the first time the Craig Jennings Cup was played between...
It was a Saturday afternoon game played in the best of spirits.
But Saturday’s A reserve clash between Maryborough and Carisbrook was so much more than a regular home-and-away clash, it was the first time the Craig Jennings Cup was played between the two teams.
Family and friends of Jennings arrived to ensure the day was a memorable one, and the day duly delivered with a brilliant contest at Princes Park.
With Maryborough undefeated and Carisbrook towards the bottom of the ladder with one win, on paper, it looked as though the Owls would be hot favourites, but the Brookers gave it everything after they were bowled out for 95.
At one stage, the Owls were 4/30 and looked in trouble, but, perhaps poignantly, the man who took over the presidency at Maryborough from Jennings, Kris Bagley, was the one who guided Maryborough home, scoring an unbeaten 41, as well as taking five wickets in a best-on-ground performance on what was a pitch which suited the bowlers.
Bagley, as well as Carisbrook’s Brad Thompson, would take the medals which were presented for both teams after the game.
Bagley was emotional knowing the impact Jennings had on him in the short time they had known each other before Jennings’ passing in November.
“I planned on getting the medal from the time we started planning this special day for Craig, his family and both cricket clubs, and I said to Bradey (Tranter), our captain, that I wanted that medal, as no-one else had one, and to be president on top of that, I hope he’s looking down on us and seeing that we did it. It means a lot,” he said.
“It’s one of the most special medals I’ll ever receive, and one of the best sporting achievements I’ll have for the rest of my life.
“He was a big part of this club, a big part of my life for a short time, and I have massive respect for what he did for me.
“I think he helped me a bit today, and his philosophy was to dig in and get it done, and that’s what I ran with.”
Bagley knew on and off the field, it was a day of significant importance for the Owls.
“This was something that we spoke about as a committee at the Maryborough Cricket Club, to make sure it was a special day,” he said.
“We wanted his family to come down, his friends, and everyone that was involved with his life, to have a good day.
“The cup is special, it will continue on and will live on forever so it’s a piece of Craig we can keep.”
The mood was echoed by Carisbrook medal recipient, Thompson, who helped Carisbrook have a foothold in the game with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 37 to lead the way.
“It’s amazing. Craig was a great bloke. He gave everything to both clubs, and he was a gentleman. I’m honoured,” he said.
“Craig was always there doing his best, trying to encourage everyone else. There’s plenty of things I could tell you.
“Both teams gave it their all, and they did well. It was a good effort, putting it on for Craig.”
A great touch throughout the afternoon was the ability for both teams to field young lineups.
Jennings was a passionate supporter of junior cricket, particularly after taking on the presidency at Maryborough, and it is something that Bagley is determined to carry on while he is in charge at the Owls.
“It’s fantastic. The positive is our young kids are getting exposure and playing some good cricket,” he said.
“Yes, we’re not getting the results, but looking forward, down the track, as Craig would say, we’ll be better for this run.
“To us, I think we’re going in the right direction, and we just have to stick with it.
“It’s massive for our cricket club. Someone like Ollie Cassidy came out and wanted to be confident, and he did that.
“The kids are coming on in leaps and bounds, we can’t ask for anything more, and it is his legacy, and we’ll continue to drive it. We want everyone on the same page, get down and help the kids as much as we can.”
It’s something that is also echoed by Thompson, who believes that young players coming through will have a terrific opportunity to learn about Jennings’ legacy years down the track.
“Someone like young Axel Purcell keeps having a crack, a couple of the other young guys are doing really well and learning the game. If we can help them out, so be it.”
