Both Narrabri’s rep sides have players cut off and unavailable for their huge semi-final fixtures on Sunday.

It’s set to be the biggest day for Narrabri cricket for around a decade, with the 1st and 2nd XIs chasing finals berths in their respective competitions.

The firsts are headed to Tamworth to take on Tamworth Blue in the War Veterans Cup while the seconds host reigning MA Connolly Cup champions Dumaresq Colts.

They are without Mark Bennie due to the floods – he’s out at Walgett – and will also be missing Dean Wilson (rugby trials) and Rod Pitman (uni).

The firsts have Chris Sargent isolated in the floodwaters at Lightning Ridge and also haven’t named talented youngsters Nick Smart and Jake Packer.

Instead they’ll be travelling down to Sydney for the CHS carnival.

Their loss is a blow but skipper Craig Trindall is confident they’ve got a side capable of rolling the Tamworth side.

Andy Irvine, Mick Dowdell, Tom Craig and Sam Bullen all come in from the side that faced Gunnedah two weeks ago.

Irvine is back after recovering from a cheekbone injury he suffered in the opening game of the season.

“He’s keen and ready to go,” Trindall said.

He’ll be looking to him to fill some of the role Sargent would have played.

That’s a rock at the top of the order.

“I’ve got no doubt we’ve got a team that can destroy attacks on their day,” Trindall said.

“And we’re not intimidated by Tamworth.

“The guys probably just get too enthusiastic and want to take them on too early.”

“Rather than play the ball on its merits they go out and try to be too aggressive.”

He said they had to play the same style as they do their home games, not “just come out and whack the leather off the ball”.

Trindall is one of a couple of the side who was around last time Narrabri was victorious in the competition.

That was back in 2001 and 2002, and the opportunity they have been presented with has the players excited.

“We did set ourselves a goal at the beginning of the season to get home finals,” Trindall said.

“The seconds have done that.

“While we (firsts) didn’t manage to pull off the home final we’ve made the semi-finals and the goal of getting the double like the 2001 and 2002 sides is still attainable.”

NARRABRI: Craig Trindall (capt), Craig Gleeson, Tom Craig, Andrew Irvine, Lachie Cameron, Mick Dowdell, Mick Sargent, Shane Smith, Michael Miskle, Trevor Parminter, Sam Bullen, Brady Jenkins.