13 teams have entered to play what will be a two-division carnival starting today and finishing on Friday with a final round for Division 2 teams and a Division One Final.

However, weather forecasts have predicted rain during much of the week.

While the farmers and graziers need it badly and our local dams are drying up, it’s the last thing the carnival needs but is something the carnival will play through on the six turf grounds.

It’s one reason why the carnival is played in Armidale – the availability of turf wickets at Armidale Showground, Lambert Park, Harris Park, the Rologas Fields, Moran Oval and TAS backfield.

“Armidale and Tamworth are pretty lucky to have so many turf wickets,” organiser Graeme Andrews said.

He said the addition of the Western Wildfires, a team based around Lithgow, was a bonus this year.

“We’ve got 13 teams all up – two from Sydney, two from the Hastings (Mid North Coast), two from Tamworth and Armidale and the ex UNE players have combined to field two sides as well. 

“Then we’ve got Quirindi, Lismore, Newcastle and the Western Wildfires.”

Two divisions will be played – eight teams in Division 1, which has been split into two four-team groups, and a five-team Division 2.

Division 1 will play round robin games in their groups with the two top teams playing off in Friday’s final,”  Andrews said.

“They have a rest day on Wednesday. The five Division 2 sides play a round robin.”

That is decided by a first past the post points system.

Tamworth’s preparations have been dealt some injury blows,  Tamworth Veterans secretary Dave Head said.

“Boydy has a broken thumb,” he said of Walcha’s Peter Boyd, who was going to captain the Tamworth Blues in the Division 1.

“So we’ve brought up Michael Morgan (captain of the Tamworth Golds) to replace him. 

“Albie Barwick is still recovering a stroke he suffered earlier this year and can only play a couple of days.

“I still can’t run on my ankle and won’t know how I’ll go until we play Monday. 

“Also Steve Beaton, one of our main bowlers in the Gold side is injured and out too.” 

The Tamworth Blues have been bolstered by a ruling that enables three players aged 58-59 to play. 

However they have can only bowl a maximum of four overs and not bat any higher than number five.

Tamworth Blue have three below age 60s – Greg Kellett, Terry Browne and Chris Crowell.

All three are well known former Tamworth first graders with Kellett playing first grade in Tamworth for Bective-East last season,

However the Blues’ strength may well be their three opening bowlers – Robert Kahler, Graeme Whitten and Ian Kitching.

TAMWORTH BLUE: Albie Barwick, Michael Morgan, Rob Laurie, Bob Haling, Terry Murphy, Chris Crowell, David Head, Rob Kahler, Tom Kellett, Ian Kitching, Graeme Whitton, Greg Kellett, Terry Browne.

TAMWORTH GOLD: Col Barton, Mike Cashman, Doug Truman, Ron Farrell, Brian Heyman, Noel Cook, Grahame Davies, Brian Wellings, Laurie Johnson, Arthur Yates, Doug Crowell, Mick Watkins.