How’s that? Hat-trick Matt

By Jarrod Potter
ALL ROUND all-star Matt Robertson finished off 2011 in emphatic fashion, with a hat-trick last week and a guiding knock of 42 to seal victory for Beaconsfield.
Robertson, 13, took 4/4 for the Beaconsfield Under-15 Eagles against the Pakenham Maroons, ripping through the lower order in a decisive over.
He claimed a wicket on the first ball of his third over, with Matt Zisos grasping it cleanly. Then a dot ball. Ryan Brindle takes the catch off the third ball of the over and then a good stumping by James McLean gets Robertson to the decisive moment.
The young leg-spinner flighted it up, the ball dips, and thunders into the pads. Robertson turns around, appeals and as the umpire declares it LBW, the celebrations start.
“It was really exciting,” Robertson said.
“I was really eager to bowl the hat-trick ball.
“I tried to bowl it on the stumps and it came out well.
Of the four wickets he took, the stumping rates as Robertson’s favourite.
“Probably the stumping because it’s the first time I’ve ever got one of those dismissals,” Robertson said.
He rang his dad Richard and uncle Wayne to tell them the good news, as well as his cricket mentor Dale Goodman and they were all excited for the young leggie.
Robertson followed up his 4/4 with 42 retired not out on Saturday, after his side slumped to 3/4 in response to Pakenham’s 102.
Robertson and Lachie Laird both retired after reaching forty to see Beaconsfield reach the total and go into the new year on a high note.
“It was a very sensational effort especially for a spin bowler at that age,” Robertson’s coach Sev Sharlassian said.
“He’s a ripper kid too, so if anyone deserves the accolade it’s him.
“He cops a hammering every now and then but it’s good to see him get it.”
When he gets back from the summer hiatus, Robertson will head off to Adelaide with his Haileybury school team as part of a cricket exchange program.