The new Namoi Bush Cricket competition was a smashing success when it got underway in Boggabri on Sunday.
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The brainchild of Craig Summers, the opening round of the six-week competition saw six teams from Boggabri, Narrabri and Baan Baa take to the crease at Jubilee Oval.
"It's the first time I believe the turf has been used for 10-15 years," Summers said.
JM Harvesting, McKechnie's Garage and Narrabri 4WD claimed the first round honours, the former amassing the biggest score of the day.
They compiled 106 from their 10 overs with Eban Volter (25) and Jimmy Eather (28) both retiring. Ross Mechanical in reply could only muster 89.
McKechnie's Garage then had a 12 run win over Thyme 2 Eat before Narrabri 4WD successfully defended 67.
The three games were played back-to-back, the response from the locals surprising Summers a bit.
"We found we got a lot of locals down there from outside the cricket scene, which I didn't expect," he said.
He added: "I just think it's something for Boggabri.
"It's an avenue to get people out doing something."
Initially proposed as an eight-a-side competition, due to interest it was expanded to 10-a-side.
Summers couldn't have been happier with how the first round went off, the only real negative that despite batsmen having to retire at 25, a lot of players didn't get a bat.
Subsequently he has proposed to "shake things up a bit" for the next round, which will be played on December 8.
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One change he has flagged is that batsmen can only be on strike for two balls in a row without scoring.
The next round will be a 'Family Fun Day' with kids activities, a jumping castle, and nibbles and refreshments.
Summers is also looking at running a women's gala day in the new year.
"I had a call when I first put it out from a couple of ladies that were interested," he said.
With the concept very much in it's infancy, he was a bit hesitant to run a separate women's competition, deciding instead for a one day round robin on Sunday March 15.
Expressions of interest to be involved in that can be made to craig@signprintstitch.com.au or via the Namoi Bush League Facebook page.
