'He's a determined kid': McMaster sweeps awards after stellar season

Not opposition bowlers, fielders, or even sunset could stop the budding 13-year-old batting star from pursuing his passion.

"One time I recall, it was getting quite dark and I said that we weren't going to be able to go to the nets," Archie's father, James, said.

"We went down of course - he twisted my arm - and we had our mobile phone torches on the pitch so he could get that feel for the ball hitting the bat."

That drive to improve no matter what has wrought the youngster 638 runs for Tamworth Blue in the recently-concluded George Denton Shield, at the scarcely-believable average of 91.

It was a high point amid what was already a dominant season for him, with 1,745 runs scored in total across both representative and local competitions this year.

"I'm pretty happy," Archie said in review of his efforts in 2021/22.

"There's not much more I could've done better. I've just got to keep practicing through winter and hopefully I'll be even better next year."

Because of his eye-boggling run-scoring feats, Archie left the Central North Cricket presentation night on Saturday with an armful of awards.

He claimed the Under 13s Champion Player, Under 13s Sixers Pool Player of the Year, Batting Aggregate, and Batting Average awards - a haul which reflected his talent and work ethic.

"He's a very determined kid, and watching his progression, he spends a lot of time analysing his own game," James said.

"I think he did have high expectations of himself, but he really kept that to himself."

For several seasons, Archie's coaches have made note of him as a player to watch. But it was even earlier that James recognised his son's promise.

"With junior cricket at school, I've coached his team," he said.

"And there's no doubt that he was stronger and from an early age, he could dominate. I think he's thrived to know that when he's needed, he's able to step up.

"He's always been able to analyse an innings and win a game for his team."

Part of Archie's natural talent, his father believes, is derived from his background in tennis. Having grown up in close proximity to the Treloar Tennis Club, James said his son had played "since he could hold a racquet".

This, he said, helped develop Archie's power and instilled in him a sense of discipline which carried through when he discovered his true passion - cricket.

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