IT was a tough day at the office as Gunnedah’s junior representative cricketers played host to Tamworth on Sunday.
All three of Gunnedah’s teams have shown improvement throughout the summer so far, but were unable to record a win against the powerful Tamworth sides.
In the under-14 game, Tamworth won the toss and elected to bat first, posting a formidable 2-274 from their 50 overs.
Claire McGuirk and Mitchell Herden shared the two wickets while Sam Murphy top scored for Tamworth with an unbeaten 105.
In reply McGuirk was the best with the bat, top scoring with 37 not out.
Gunnedah eventually succumbed to be all out for 84 off 45 overs.
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Under-14 coach Andrew Johns said he was proud of his team’s effort.
“Despite the loss the team never gave up and put in 100 per cent effort,” Johns said.
“We are still learning and as a young side, I think we will continue to develop as the season goes on.
“A big thanks to all the parents who have helped out this season.”
It was a far closer finish in the under-16 game as Gunnedah fell just 18 runs short of their target.
A tidy 3-13 from Lachlan Straney helped restrict Tamworth to 137 from 38 overs.
In reply, regular wickets hurt the home side’s chances as a patient 27 from Zac Clarke helped keep them in the hunt.
Tamworth captain Joey Mead (4-22) helped keep his side in front as Gunnedah lost its last five wickets for just nine runs.
Gunnedah under-16 coach Scott Clarke said it was an “agonising” loss for his side.
“We started the day well in the field, taking regular wickets and some very timely bowling changes limited Tamworth's opportunity to create batting partnerships,” Clarke said.
“All of our bowlers performed and were backed up by another solid fielding performance, notably a direct hit run out by Jaycob Price.
“As well as that, Caitlyn Ford did well to chase down a catch that proved to be the key wicket and helped spark the Tamworth batting collapse.”
Clarke said the side’s top order got the run chase off to a good start.
“Zac Clarke & Jaycob Price opened the innings,” he said.
“Jaycob went hard early including a fantastic straight six off Josh Attard, he went on to frustrate their bowlers on this way to 22.
“Zac also batted very well and along with Ed Montgomery and Braithen Winsor we looked on track for victory.”
Clarke said his side would take a lot of positives out of the game despite the loss.
“While disappointing to get so close, our ability to remain tight in the field and bowl Tamworth out for only 137 in under 40 overs was the highlight for the day,” he said.
‘I’m sure we will take a lot out of it.”
Earlier in the day, it was one way traffic as Tamworth recorded a 10-wicket win in the under-12 match.
The Tamworth side were untroubled as they chased down Gunnedah’s target of 28 inside of seven overs.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
