Luke Paterson (left) and Layne Berry run between wickets in Sunday’s Connolly Cup win over Glen Innes. They will reunite on Sunday under teenage wicketkeeper Matt Everett for a Cup semi against Inverell. Photo: Barry Smith 030213BSD02
RICHIE O’Halloran didn’t have long to savour his captaincy success.
After leading the below-strength Tamworth Colts to a close 16-run win over Glen Innes in last Sunday’s final-round MA Connolly Cup match at Dick Edwards Oval, the City United allrounder has been named as a player in the Colts side to play Inverell in a Connolly Cup semi-final at No 1 Oval on Sunday.
16-year-old wicketkeeper Matt Everett has been named captain!
“It didn’t take long to get the shaft,” O’Halloran laughed from Armidale yesterday where he is finishing the last half dozen units of a law degree at St Albert’s College.
“I’m still 50/50 about playing though.
“But I’ve got a hundred percent record as captain – it’s always good to leave on top.”
O’Halloran joked about the “demotion” but was more than happy to help out last Sunday, with a number of regular Colts involved in Tamworth one-day finals.
“It was very close,” he said of the final-round game that decided finishing positions on the Connolly Cup table.
“I tried to give everyone (who played for the Colts) an opportunity.
“We used eight or nine bowlers.”
He also took 2-20 from his eight overs of leg spin and was delighted with the way he went but more so with the efforts of players such as Layne Berry.
“He batted well,” he said of the young and versatile cricketer.
This Sunday offers a new challenge too.
“I don’t know what they’ll be like,” he said.
As for Everett, well he believes the Year 11 student at Oxley High School will handle it.
“He’s a very talented cricketer,” O’Halloran said.
“We’ve got a few good young ones coming through.”
Everett was on his way to Sydney yesterday with James Psarakis and Hamish Batley to play in a St George Cricket Club “Bradman v O’Reilly Day” with Denman’s Riley Ayre.
The four young CNZ reps are all excited about that game.
“Shane Warne played in it a few years ago,” Everett told The Leader yesterday from just past Scone as he and his two Tamworth teammates travelled down to Sydney.
“I don’t know who’s playing in it but it should be exciting to play in.
“I’m not sure if we’re all playing in the same side or not.”
He didn’t know he had been named skipper of the Connolly Cup side.
“I captained the side earlier in the season,” he said.
“We played Quirindi, scored 300 and got them out for 90.”
It’s going to be a big day too, not just because he’s captaining the side.
“We start the CHS Carnival in Sydney on Monday so we’ll be leaving as soon as we finish the Connolly Cup game,” Everett said.
TAMWORTH CONNOLLY CUP (Team to play Inverell in Cup semi-final at No 1 Oval this Sunday): Matt Everett (capt), Layne Berry, Richie O’Halloran, Simon Toyer, Mitch Holt, Joey Holt, Adam Pearson, Matt Kent, Luke Paterson, Chaise Crough, Jake Everett, Ben Semmler.