After their U14 double in 2019 Cumberland Nepean have repeated the feat in 2020 with their U16 Boy’s and Girl’s taking out the State Championships over what was a very hot weekend.

The Boys competition was held at Campbelltown with day 1 starting then stopping due to the heat and once the time was right to resume it was determined that the draw would change to 2 pools to allow the competition to continue in the fairest possible way.

After the rounds Macarthur and Cumberland Nepean headed each of their pools and would wait to see the winners of the crossover 2^nd v 3^rd games to find out who their next opposition would be. Penrith City and Orange survived the crossover battle and it was down to 2 games to determine the finalists. Penrith City defeated Macarthur 2 – 1 in a very close and exciting game. Cumberland Nepean proved too strong for Orange running out convincing winners 11 – 0.

The games were suspended due to heat again and it was decided to move the final to Blacktown International Sportspark for a start time of 5pm.

After taking a break from the heat both teams took to the diamond full of energy ready for a battle. Penrith City were the first to put runs on the board with 2 in the top of the 2nd innings but Cumberland Nepean replied with 2 in the bottom of the inning. It was in the 3^rd innings that Cumberland Nepean’s bats started to work with some solid hits bringing in 5 runs. Time and game was called after 90 minutes with Cumberland Nepean declared winners 8 – 3 to take their first U16 Boy’s State Championship.

Final Placings

1^st Cumberland Nepean

2^nd Penrith City

=3^rd Macarthur & Orange

=5^th Sutherland & Southern Districts

=7^th Georges River & Newcastle

The girls competition was made up of 13 teams in 2 pools and played at Georges River. Day 1 saw play suspended due to heat but completed later in the day. Day 2 started early to avoid the heat but again was suspended and playoffs were moved to Blacktown International Sportspark for a 5pm start.

Cumberland Nepean convincingly beat Macarthur in one playoff 7 – 0 but in the other Manly Warringah needed 3 tie breaker innings to defeat North Shore 15 – 6 in a game that went 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Cumberland Nepean and Manly went into the grand final undefeated and a close game was anticipated. Cumberland Nepean were the first to score with some good team hitting to go out to a 2 – 0 lead then followed it up in the next innings with another 3 runs. Manly Warringah had no answer to Cumberland Nepean’s pitching and did not manage to score a run with the final result being 6 – 0. It is Cumberland Nepean’s 8^th U16 girls state title.

Final Placings

1^st Cumberland Nepean

2^nd Manly Warringah

=3^rd North Shore & Macarthur

=5^th Georges River & Penrith

=7^th Sutherland & Canberra Pride

=9^th Hornsby & Southern Districts

=11^th Newcastle & Wagga Wagga

13^th Invitational