Northern Territory fell 14 runs short in a tight contest against Victoria Country on day three of the Under 19 National Championships in Perth, with William Hardy (University of Sydney import) producing a standout all-round performance in NT’s most competitive showing of the tournament to date.
Chasing 215 for victory, NT worked steadily through the early stages of their innings. Aayan Nadeem (Footscray CC import) opened positively with 24 from 23 balls, while Archie McCormick (Waratah CC) contributed a composed 39 from 57 deliveries to keep NT in touch with the required rate. Hardy anchored the innings with an impressive 75 from 102 balls, which included three fours and two sixes. Cadell McMahon (25) added important support through the middle order as NT pushed the match deep into the final overs.
Despite the strong platform, Victoria Country’s attack held firm, with Nathan Harper taking 4 for 48 to halt NT’s late charge. NT were eventually dismissed for 201 in the 48th over.
Earlier in the day, Victoria Country posted 215 from their 50 overs. Hardy was influential with the ball, claiming 5 for 55 in a composed 10-over spell that kept NT in the contest. Nicholas Fleming (Nightcliff CC) added 2 for 36, while Lenny Wilton (Darwin CC) delivered a tight spell of 1 for 14 from four overs. Victoria’s total was shaped by Matthew Gome’s 56 and Ted Bain’s 75, both of whom built key partnerships despite regular NT breakthroughs.
NT will play Western Australia on Friday 5 December 2025 at 11.30 am as they move into the final stages of the Championships in Perth.
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