Gunnedah have turned a shaky start into a resounding victory as they booked a spot in the Connolly Cup final by dismantling Moree at Wolseley Oval on Sunday.
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They will look to win their first Connolly Cup since 2017-18 when they play Inverell in the final at Wolseley Oval next Sunday. Inverell beat Narrabri Blue by 56 runs in Inverell on Sunday.
With the Wolseley Oval semi-final saved after the covers shielded the wicket from Saturday's rain, Gunnedah defended 9-137 off their 50 overs by removing Moree for 45 in the 31st over.
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The stars of the day were Farran Lamb, Brodie Cleal and Garry Briggs.
Lamb and Cleal came together when Gunnedah were 4-30 - their 83-run partnership so crucial to the outcome of the match.
Lamb made a 92-ball 44 and Cleal a 104-ball 34.
Lamb then combined with opening bowler Briggs to obliterate Moree's batting lineup - Briggs inflicting the early pain by bowling opener Matt O'Donnell for a duck and No 3 Lloyd Munro for one, before Lamb took 5-11 in 8.4 overs.
Gunnedah captain Blake Small called veteran allrounder Lamb "probably the best cricketer" in town.
Having Lamb in the side, he said, made "a huge difference". "Farran batted sensational and so did Brodie Cleal," he said.
Gunnedah are near unbeatable at home. Small echoed paceman Troy Sands' comment leading into the semi - that Wolseley Oval is a "different" kind of wicket.
Only three opposition teams have prevailed there in 18 games over the past five years.
Small said: "We've got a gun bowling attack ... Garry Briggs led from the front and Farran Lamb coming in at first change - yeah, it's worked [well] like that all year and it just keeps working."
Gunnedah are undefeated in six matches this season, and Small - who led them to an emotional drought-breaking final triumph in 2017-18 - was in a buoyant mood post-match on Sunday.
"I'm not over-confident, but I'm confident we can do it again," he said of winning the final.
In the other semi-final, Inverell were dismissed for 136 in 40 overs and then removed Narrabri Blue for 80.
Joseph Smith and Tony Blake top-scored for Inverell with 25 and 23, respectively, before Inverell opening bowler Rod Blair took 5-13 off 10 overs.
