Tamworth first grade best and fairest Adam Jones flicks this delivery to the leg side in typical wristy fashion during a one day clash against North Tamworth earlier this sesaon. Photo: Barry Smith 011212BSG28
ADAM Jones had a “bittersweet” finish to his cricket season on Saturday.
The Bective-East Bull was hoping to extend it at least another week against Old Boys in their minor semi final but a sensational collapse by the Bulls – they lost 7-9 on Sunday morning – handed Old Boys a five run first innings lead and ultimately the game.
After dismissing Old Boys for just 119 Bective were in control at 2-83 and then 3-105 before spiraling out of contention to be all out for 114.
While Jones and his Bulls tried to edge their way back into the game and had Old Boys 7-115 in their second innings they ran out of time.
Aaron Hazlewood received the three points in the finals best and fairest competition, Adam Jones grabbed the two and OB skipper Ben Middlebrook the one.
While he received the two points in the B&F Award he can celebrate winning the season-long TDCA first grade best and fairest award.
The TDCA has two B&Fs, one for the season and another that started Saturday for the finals series.
Adam has won the TDCA’s B&F for the competition rounds, edging out South Tamworth’s Josh Crowe by two points with West Tamworth’s Tim Kensell a further two back.
While despondent about the way his side dipped out of premiership contention winning the individual B&F is something to be proud of, he said. “You play for the team all season,” ones told The Leader Sunday afternoon.
“This is bitter sweet,” he said of an award that highlights how much hard work has gone in, week in week out.
“It’s all come down to one day and about 10 overs.
“Very disappointing. And we do have some very good young players. Just haven’t had the same side on the field most of the year.
“We haven’t played together as a team either. It’s been individual efforts at different times.
“We spoke about applying ourselves before the game too.”
Unfortunately Bective’s bowling and fielding heeded that pre-match attention but the batting fell apart.
After losing two early wickets to be 2-11 James Haling (31) and Adam Jones (58) dug in and looked to have batted the side into a preliminary final.
However Haling’s dismissal, trapped lbw by Aaron Hazlewood at 83 and then Jones’ dismissal caught behind off Josh Smith, triggered the calamitous collapse.
Seven for nine will ring long and starkly in the minds of the Bulls, especially for Adam Jones, even though he will have the TDCA’s first grade B&F award to lean on.