Last Saturday was a big disappointment for Gunnedah’s first grade cricketers, as they slumped to a horror 225-run defeat against Old Boys at Riverside.

Coming off a 56-run loss to Bective East in round one of the Tamworth District Cricket Association (TDCA) season, Gunnedah was set back for its round two fixture as Izaak Merlehan, Kyle Gallen and Justin Carter were among the absent personnel.

The occasion was nonetheless memorable for Brad Gander and his daughter Kate, as they played together at first grade level.

As was the case last season, Old Boys fielded a contingent of ex-Gunnedah cricketers. One of them, Adam McGuirk, heaped plenty of misery on his home town last Saturday as he belted 14 fours and two sixes in a score of 96 in the strong total of 6-293 in 40 overs.

Harrison and Jack Hamilton set the platform with a 120-run opening stand in just 14 overs before Jack fell for 72, which included nine fours and three sixes.

Another 14 runs were added before Harrison Hamilton exited, and then Mitchell Swain played a minor role in a 55-run partnership with fellow ex-Gunnedah player McGuirk.

The 24th over yielded 23 runs, with McGuirk hitting the first three balls for four and the fourth ball for six before finishing the over with another four.

Coady Scott scored only 16 in an 80-run fourth wicket stand, and then McGuirk went from 84 to 96 with fours from three successive balls. But then he was caught as he sought a fourth consecutive boundary which would have raised a century.

Brad Gander claimed 3-52 off eight overs while Sam Doubleday had tidy figures of 1-30 off eight, but most of Gunnedah’s bowlers were untidy and expensive while there were 28 runs in wides.

Doubleday made 12 at the top of the order while Ash White made 19 at number four in the run chase, but nobody else made more than eight as Gunnedah was dismissed in just 25.1 overs.

White’s intentions were clear, as his brief flurry yielded three fours and a six.

The middle and lower order flopped badly as Gunnedah went from 3-53 to 5-53, and then lost four wickets with the total on 57.

Kate Gander had the satisfaction of being not out, with three runs to her name.

The leading wicket-taker for Old Boys was another ex-Gunnedah player, Hayden Baker.

Gunnedah hosts the North Tamworth Redbacks at Wolseley Park this Saturday, with the Redbacks coming off a bye following a first-up seven-wicket win against City United.

Old Boys 6-293 (Adam McGuirk 96, Jack Hamilton 72; Brad Gander 3-52) defeated Gunnedah 68 (Ash White 19; Hayden Baker 3-8) by 225 runs.