The local representatives have one last chance to secure a berth in the final of this season’s Northern Inland Cricket Council (NICC) JCA Ross Taylor Cup.

Standing in their path is a Tamworth side packing big batting potential.

“Tamworth would have the strongest batting in the 16s,” Gunnedah co-coach Pat Maher said.

“They’ve achieved big scores over 200 consistently.”

The good news is, Gunnedah has the bowling line-up to match and one that’s capable of taking down a powerful side like Tamworth.

“We have some very strong bowlers,” he said.

“Most play first grade [club cricket], so they’re quite experienced.”

Maher said Gunnedah has rolled teams for under 100 runs before and there was every chance they could do it again on Sunday.

The team needs a win and nothing less if it is to progress to the final against Moree on February 21.

Even a washout, which would be ruled a draw, is not enough to see them home.

Alex Beasley will lead side as captain and much like the rest of his season so far, will prove an invaluable asset to the team ranks this weekend and in seasons to come.

“He’s only young but has a very mature, cool head about him,” the coach said, “He makes the right the decisions.”

 And it’s not just his leadership that has earnt him the respect of coaching staff and his peers.

“I haven’t seen him bat or bowl better this season,” Maher said.

The Gunnedah side, which is also coached by Vinnie Winsor, will be without a number of players who are away with representative football commitments.

But the side will still feature plenty of firepower from the top down including vice captain Nick Willoughby, batting openers Trent Winsor and Ben Maher, and young Isaac Harris who last week top-scored with 19 runs for his Albion junior club side.

Also playing representative matches this weekend will be the Gunnedah U12 and U14s teams. The 14s also face the top-ranked  Tamworth side but are placed in the more favourable second position on the leaderboard in that grade.