Jamie Heath - Teenage Sensation Inspires Belmont to Unlikely Victory

Belmont District Cricket Club | April 01, 2025

Defending a modest total of 136, Belmont were going into Day 2 at No. 1 Sportsground behind the game with a strong Charlestown team starting the day at 2-77. Only requiring 60 runs, teenage sensation Jamie Heath once again underlined his outstanding potential by spear heading what was described as a "down and out " Belmont attack to a dramatic win.

Jamie Heath aged just 17 at the time tore through the Charlestown spine to secure an unlikely 9 run win for a gutsy Belmont side. With Charlestown still in the hunt at 7-126, Heath showed nerves of steel and struck once again as the last 3 wickets were claimed for 1 run as a first innings victory was secured for Belmont.

Believing that the game was still in hand for an outright win, Charlestown Captain Mark Hall asked Belmont to bat again. After a shaky start, Belmont rallied to 4-133 guided by Newcastle star cricketer and Belmont captain Mark Curry who finished 53 n.o. to surpass the then current record for most runs in a season (Reg Beattie - 767 runs)

Mark Curry

Curry capped off what was an exceptional individual effort for the day but the star was undoubtedly Jamie Heath. Heath had just been chosen in an Australian U17's Merit side following the National Championships and this display against Charlestown highlighted exactly why he had been chosen for such an honour.

After the game Belmont Captain Mark Curry was quoted by article author Barry Toohey saying: "He (Jamie Heath) is the best fast bowling prospect to come out of Newcastle for 15 years or more. Realistically we were in a lot of trouble at stumps last night but through we could get a sniff if we picked up some early wickets and Jamie came through for us"

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