JPC youngster continues to shine on the big stage
BY ALEX TIGANI
Luke Dempster was only three years of age when JPC won its most recent SDCA first grade grand final in 2007.
Admittedly, his current JPC teammates Brandon Carman and Hayden Moorcroft were even younger.
Fast forward to Saturday and the trio would all win the respect of the club’s stalwarts when inspiring the Valley/JPC line-up to Coalfields Cup glory.
“It feels amazing to be honest, it was a great game,” Dempster told The Hunter River Times. “We pulled together as a team and got through with a win.”
The 18-year-old was full of belief at the break despite his teammates’ modest total of 117.
They had defended similar totals before and his handy 2/16 with the ball fast tracked his side back into contention early.
“I had never seen him bowl so fast, his rhythm come real good and he had some wheels,” his proud father Bruce added.
“Everyone really put in.”
Dempster finished his first grade season with a total of 23 wickets in the main season. Need we mention his memorable 6/45 for Singleton in the association’s John Bull Shield match against Cessnock?
Ultimately, it made for a memorable weekend after Luke received his P-Plates only 24 hours before the final.
“Credit is given to Tim Gore and Dan Storey to that, they put their heads together and made this merger happen,” Bruce concluded.