By Yarin Barrett
GLASSHOUSE Districts junior cricketer Josiah Pearce has made a standout start to the Sunshine Coast Cricket season, scoring an unbeaten 104 in the under 16 season opener against Maroochydore at David Moff at Oval.
The 14-year-old came to the crease aft er Glasshouse lost two early wickets and calmly guided his team to 7/259 off 55 overs, chasing Maroochydore’s 188 all out.
Pearce (pictured) displayed maturity beyond his years, hitting 15 boundaries and anchoring the innings while lower-order batsmen contributed important runs.
Jayden Merritt added 34 in a 62-run partnership with Pearce, and Aiden Lipovas fi nished 23 not out as part of an unbroken 55-run stand to see Glasshouse home.
Pearce backed up in the aft ernoon for the Men’s Division 2 team, coming in at number nine and top-scoring with 45 off 58 balls in a total of 167 against Caboolture’s 249.
He also took two catches in the fi eld, highlighting his versatility and endurance on a busy opening day.
Glasshouse Districts Cricket Club president Jeremy Schultz said Pearce is one of the youngest in the under 16 squad and currently represents the Sunshine Coast under 15s.
“He’s a very talented junior who loves playing cricket. We wanted to give him a bit of exposure,” Schultz said.
A wicket-keeper fi rst and foremost, Pearce is continuing to develop his skills behind the stumps while also showing promise with the bat.
“He trains hard, but cricket isn’t everything for him,” Schultz said.
“His main role is wicket-keeping, and he’s learning that role very well. The batting was just a bonus in our fi rst game for the men’s team.”
Schultz said the club is focused on nurturing young talent while ensuring players enjoy the game.
“We want kids learning and loving cricket, and seeing them step into key roles like wicket-keeping is part of that,” he said.
Glasshouse’s bowlers were instrumental in the under 16 win, with Tadhg O’Neill taking 3/16, and Robert Murree and Gurshain Singh each taking two wickets. Maroochydore captain Joshua Brooke top-scored with 92, but Pearce’s composure and the support of the lower order ensured Glasshouse fi nished the run chase with authority.
The under 16s now face Coolum under lights at Ron Cargill Oval on Friday, while the Men’s Division 2 side takes on Tewantin-Noosa at Read Park on Saturday.
Pearce’s performances across both matches have set an early benchmark and provided a bright highlight for the club’s season opening.