The annual invitational brings together teams from right across the state to showcase the junior game.

Tamworth coach Clive Barton has been with the side since they started playing representative cricket in the U12s last year.

“The team was selected at the end of last season, but a lot of the boys are the same as last year,” Barton said.

The side trains once a week on Wednesdays at Riverside, and also trained on Sundays right through winter.

“There is some real talent in this side,” Barton said.

“Bowling is where our real strength is.”

“Our openers Logan Barnes and James ‘Pretty’ Austin are very handy with the new ball.”

“For kids this age James Wallace and Toby Craig are impressive leg spinners as well.”

“There are some good batsmen in here as well.”

“Hopefully we can get them to stand up at Ballina and put some runs on.”

The boys have drawn a pretty tough pool at Ballina drawing Hornsby, Canterbury, and Newcastle.

“We’ve just got to turn up and play and see what happens,” Barton said.

The side has some big game experience after previously making the final of the districts competition.

The team met Cessnock in the final although it was a wash out.

They have recently beaten Moree, but went down to Gunnedah and Narrabri as well.

Following the Ballina Carnival the side will have two more games against Quirindi/Coonabarabran and New England in February to finish the season.

“We have had a great season so far,” Barton said.

“Win, lose, or draw they always have a lot of fun and they are a great bunch of kids that enjoy the game.”