FOLLOWING a drama-packed local derby between Narrabri and Gunnedah in the Country Shield on Sunday, a first-ever Namoi side has been selected to battle it out for the revamped War Veterans Cup.
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Enemies will become team-mates after Gunnedah took the first round of the statewide shield, defending a score of 80 at Wolseley Park, although the scorers had the total at 79.
A bizarre finish saw Narrabri lose its final wicket on 79 but the scorers pick up a missed no-ball from the first innings to gift Gunnedah an extra run and snatch the win out of Narrabri’s hands, as a draw goes to the visitors in the knockout comp.
From that game, Mike Silver selected the first- ever combined Namoi representative side.
Gunnedah captain Andy Mack will be captain although the Narrabri captain will be a distinct omission from the team.
Lachie Cameron would normally be one of the first on the list, and was, before withdrawing on Wednesday morning.
Last Saturday, the Narrabri Blues Group 4 Player of the Year was planning on pulling the boots on one more time for the Castlereagh All Blacks to play in the Dirranbandi Aboriginal Knock-out, although it was postponed early in the week.
“Narrabri had the footy season that almost was,” Cameron said with a laugh.
Gunnedah also finished its winter with a close victory in the preliminary final and now the captain of both sides has decided to have a break.
“I am sure it will be frowned upon,” Cameron said.
“But I am going to have a quieter weekend for once.”
After missing his wedding anniversary to play cricket last weekend, it could be a good move.
The rest of the side, however, has a tough weekend, with Old Boys on Saturday followed by North Tamworth the following day.
Last year the two sides struggled against a formidable Tamworth side but this year the competition has been evened out.
Silver has selected a well-rounded side with eight Gunnedah players and four from Narrabri.
Nick Smart was impressive with the bat last week and was the only player to score over 20 runs when he worked hard for 44 on a tough wicket.
“I actually didn’t find it that hard out there,” Smart said.
Smart will join Mack, his brother James Mack, Sam Doubleday and Ben Haire as the primary run-makers.
They will need to set decent targets to progress in the competition.
The return of paceman Tom O’Neill is a big boost for both Gunnedah and Namoi.
Mack said he is a dangerous bowler when he is in form and, after taking 5-18 last week, he could rattle some batsmen this weekend.
Young Narrabri quick Dylan Segundo tore his way into the rep scene last year and, with Cameron Milne also in the side, the pace attack can match the Tamworth clubs on their day.
“Both sides’ fielding and bowling was great,” Mack said after the Country Shield clash.
“We just need to work on the batting.
“The new format is great and we feel like we have a real chance this year.”
NAMOI: Andy Mack captain (Gunn), Nick Smart (Narr), Cameron Milne (Gunn), Ben Haire (Gunn), James Mack (Gunn), Sam Doubleday (Gunn), Troy Sands (Gunn), Andrew George (Gunn), Tom O’Neill (Gunn), Dylan Segundo (Narr), Jake Brayshaw (Narr).
