Massacre in U17 representative cricket at Kitchener Park

The gulf in class between Tamworth and Gunnedah in under 17 cricket was plainly evident as the visiting side inflicted a thrashing in last Sunday’s representative fixture at Kitchener Park.

The result made painful reading as Tamworth Gold amassed 352 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 50 overs, and went on to win by 310 runs as Gunnedah was skittled for 42 in just 19.4 overs.

Samuel Davis made a dashing century for the victors while two of his teammates made half-centuries, and the huge total also included 28 runs from wides.

Lachlan Mason scored only seven in an opening stand of 42 before he top-edged a pull to mid-wicket in the 10th over. There was no sign of a disaster for Gunnedah at this point, but then Archie McMaster hooked the next delivery for six.

Riley Jones reached his 50 in the 19th over, before McMaster thumped three of the next four balls to the boundary.

Harry Paul removed Jones’s middle-stump with the total on 116, before McMaster hammered 16 runs in the following over.

McMaster soon fell for 61 off 37 balls as Paul held a sharp return catch, and then Jack Canham claimed an lbw as Tamworth Gold stumbled to 4-138.

A total below 250 was possible when a fine low catch by Keaton Walters left Tamworth Gold 5-157 in the 27th over, but then Davis took charge and found good support.

Charley Pickens scored 27 off 27 balls in a 73-run partnership, and then Oliver Stubbs scored a run-a-ball 33 in a 76-run stand before Paul cleverly ran him out.

Davis reached his ton in the 49th over and then clobbered 17 runs in the final over despite battling cramps. His unbeaten 117 came from just 87 balls, and included seven fours and three sixes.

The heat could not be used as an excuse for Gunnedah’s poor fielding, as some players didn’t seem to show enough urgency.

Gunnedah had six runs on the board when Stubbs claimed the first two wickets, and then Walters scored a quick 12 before offering Stubbs a caught-and-bowled.

Paul hit the following ball for four but was bowled immediately afterwards with the total on 23, and then eight runs were added in five overs before Davis held a catch at first slip.

Aidan Walker held a simple return catch before rattling the stumps, and Gunnedah was 7-40 after 17 overs when drinks were taken.

Harry Merchant claimed the eighth wicket, and then Mason’s first ball knocked back the off-stump before his fourth ball produced a stumping.

Tamworth Gold 7-352 (Samuel Davis 117 not out, Archie McMaster 61, Riley Jones 51; Harry Paul 2-44) defeated Gunnedah 42 (Oliver Stubbs 3-13, Lachlan Mason 2-0, Aidan Walker 2-7) by 310 runs.

Samuel Davis scored 117 not out for Tamworth Gold against Gunnedah in U17 cricket at Kitchener Park.