Namoi might be out of the running for this season’s War Veteran’s Cup after successive losses in last weekend’s opening round but there is still plenty to crow about.

The Namoi visitors finished an agonising 19 runs short of their target in Saturday’s clash against Old Boys (Tamworth), before succumbing to North Tamworth by five wickets on Sunday.

The new-look Namoi outfit – a combination of Gunnedah and Narrabri representative players – faced the best of Tamworth club cricket in Norths and reigning Tamworth club premiers, Old Boys. 

Each Tamworth side already possessed a wealth of cohesive team structure, meanwhile Namoi was coming together for the first time on Saturday.

Namoi all-rounder Sam Doubleday said the early signs were good given the side’s brief lead-up just days out from competition.

“A lack of game time didn’t help,” Doubleday said.

“But to play two of the strongest Tamworth clubs sides and play as well as we did, I think we did pretty good.

 “We had a few chances that didn’t go our way but that’s cricket.

“We have to learn from our mistakes.”

Namoi opening bowlers Tom O’Neill (3-33 from eight overs) and Narrabri’s Dylan Segundo (2-27 from four) were among the big wicket takers in the first match.

But it was the bowling of Gunnedah’s Jared Smith who kept the Old Boys’ batsmen in check.

He started his eight-over spell with a maiden and finished his third with a wicket-maiden over.

Smith’s tight bowling ended the day with his side’s best figures of  2-17 from eight overs.

The Namoi visitors swept through the opposition’s bottom order to take the last three wickets for just seven runs before they were all out for 179.

In the batting stakes, Gunnedah’s Andy Mack belted his way to a solid half century for Namoi after only half an hour at the crease.

He smashed three sixes and four boundaries for his 54 runs and combined with brother James (18 runs) for the majority of his time in the middle. 

Team-mates Cameron Milne (26) Doubleday (17) also made notable contributions early on but in the end the runs were not enough.

Namoi finished their 40-over maximum at 8/160, some 19 runs short of victory.

There was a reshuffle in the Namoi line-up even before play started due to unforeseen player withdrawals.

Narrabri batsman Nick Smart, who blasted 44 runs against Gunnedah a week earlier, was one omission after  reportedly crashing his motorbike earlier that week. 

His Narrabri team-mate, Jake Brayshaw, was also forced to pull out due to HSC commitments.

 Despite their difficulties, Doubleday considered the new-look War Vets format a “good concept” and one which achieved its aim of creating a more competitive competition.

“Hopefully we can be a bit more organised next year,” he said.

“These games can only make us stronger.

“We’ll be all the better for it next season.”