The season may be over, but for the Namoi under 17s Col Dent Shield squad, Sunday’s match-up against Tamworth was an opportunity to claim its second win of the campaign.
After winning the toss, Namoi went in to bat against a strong Tamworth bowling attack and could only manage 95 runs before losing all 10 wickets.
Claire McGuirk and Eric Peatling were the pick of Namoi’s batters, scoring 12 and 13 runs respectively.
McGuirk came in at first drop and looked to steady the ship after the fall of Thomas Noble for three early in the innings.
Fellow opener, Zac Craig quickly joined Noble and was only able to score the one run before being caught in the field.
At 2-40, Henry Johns was the next to fall after being bowled by Tamworth’s Ryan Stewart. Hamish Craig could only score three runs as Alasdair Hewitt was one run shy of breaking double figures with nine.
Peatling came on in the middle of the order and after facing 19 balls for his 13 runs, he was run out.
A further 13 runs were scored by Jack Hatton (7) and Marty Hatton (5) before the team was all out.
Stewart was the standout bowler from Tamworth, recording figures of 4-15 in seven overs. Harrison Mills finished with 2-23.
With a less than convincing target set by Namoi, the side knew it had to be strong out in the field.
Peter McCormack picked up the early wicket of Cooper Sheridan to give his side some hope of winning the game. Charlie Stone was the next to fall by a McCormack caught and bowled, leaving Tamworth 2-22.
With the game still in Tamworth’s hands, opener Samuel Holmes fell for 12 as a middle order quickly followed.
It was a battle against time with extras costing Namoi’s chances in the end with Tamworth clinching the victory with one wicket to spare.
From Namoi’s bowlers, Noble finished the game 3-14 from six overs. McCormack 2-16 and Jack Hatton 2-18 were the other strong performers with the ball.
Sunday’s match marked the final game for Henry Johns, Alasdair Hewitt, Lachie Straney, Carter McIlveen and Claire McGuirk.
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