A lower order revival and some tidy bowling from Gunnedah could not prevent the North Tamworth Redbacks from recording a seven-wicket victory in third grade cricket at McAndrew Park last Saturday.
Gunnedah had a horror start before finishing with a total of 118, and then the home side kept North Tamworth’s run rate in check before the Redbacks went on the attack.
A lopsided contest appeared likely as the hosts crashed to 4-11 in the first 3.3 overs, with three players dismissed without scoring.
A brief recovery was followed by another slump, and the score was 8-51 before Julian Hockings and Mitch Rolinson ensured the total would not be so miserable.
Hockings registered five fours and a six in his 29, before being dismissed with the total on 90.
Rolinson dominated the last wicket stand before exiting for 35, which included two fours and three sixes.
With the Redbacks needing to score at almost exactly three runs per over, the result was by no means a formality as North Tamworth limped to 2-41 in the first 20 overs.
Twelve runs in the 24th over took the total to 2-69 before the 26th over contained 13 runs and a wicket, which came when Mathew Rose skied a full-toss to square leg.
The runs continued to flow as the Redbacks sealed the result with 10.1 overs remaining.
North Tamworth 3-119 (Adam Miller 33 not out; Alex Seach 1-13) defeated Gunnedah 118 (Mitch Rolinson 35, Julian Hockings 29; Dean Thompson 3-9, Alex Ingall 3-16) by seven wickets.
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