While the semi-final sides for the War Veterans Cup were decided in Tamworth last weekend and will play off on November 30 there are still four more rounds of Connolly Cup left yet.

Manilla secured a 96-run win over Gwydir at Bingara’s Gwydir Oval on Sunday, making 209 and then dismissing the home side for 113.

“It was disappointing. We didn’t bat well,”  Gwydir skipper Luke said Smith after the first-round loss.

“But we did bowl well and didn’t have our strongest side – we had a fair few out.

“We only had our first game of the season on Saturday too. 

“So we hadn’t had much cricket at all.

“Everyone was a bit rusty.”

While they were missing some key players, it did give them the chance to blood some youngsters such as Nilsson West and Dan O’Connor.

“Nilsson was having his first game for us and he did bowl well – took 1-12 off his six overs,” Luke Smith said.

“Daniel also bowled well too (0-17 off 5).”

Luke Smith led the atack and finished with 5-36 from his eight overs against a Manilla side best served by opener Chris Dobson, who carried his bat to finish unbeaten on 71.

Luke Smith also scored a good double, opening the batting and scoring 20. 

Dougal Cameron (23) and Brad Ibrahim (25) also got starts but Russell Gardner (5-22) inspired the Manilla bowlers, with Eddie Lockery (3-30) and Brendon Chaffey (2-22) also claiming scalps.

In Glen Innes, the Inverell side also snared a comfortable first- round Connolly Cup win, dismissing the home side for 121 and then polishing off the winning runs in 17 overs, compiling 3-126.

Mick Kenny was the star for Inverell, taking 4-27 from his 10 overs and then blasting a quickfire 45. He and Dave Mudaliar (45no) put on 91 for the third wicket.

Glen Innes has a bye in the next round of Connolly Cup matches on November 2 while Inverell hosts Bingara, Armidale goes to Manilla, Gunnedah hosts Tamworth and Moree is at home to Narrabri.