In Tamworth, the Tamworth Blues Under 12s tackle Maitland in a testing first- round match of their Hunter Valley Junior Cricket Association season at Max Sutton Oval.

The Blues are coached by Bede Maher and Peter Mead and have named a strong team after a good trial against the Tamworth Golds, who go to Armidale to play Armidale in their Northern Inland Cricket Council junior competition.

The Tamworth Gold Under 12s are in Armidale along with the Under 13 and 15 sides who play in the NICC Under 14 and 16 competitions while the Blues’ Under 12s, 14s and 16s play the Hunter Valley competition.

The Blues Under 14s and 16s are also at home to Maitland first-up on Riverside 2 and Dick Edwards Oval on Sunday.

“All our sides are looking strong,” Tamworth Junior Cricket Association president Peter Graham said.

“We’re hopeful of some good results again this year in both competitions.

“We’re also sponsored by Steggles again. 

“They have been very good sponsors for us for a few years now.”

While the Hunter Valley and Northern Inland junior competitions start this weekend, the Tamworth teams are also preparing for big carnivals in the new year.

The 12 Blues are off to Lismore, the Under 13 Golds are at Ballina, the Blue 14s host their Tamworth Under 14 Carnival at home, the Under 15 Golds go to Armidale for the Walter Taylor Shield and the  16 Blues are off to Taree for the Stan Austin Shield.

TAMWORTH U12 BLUES (Team to play Maitland at Max Sutton Oval on Sunday, players to be at the ground by 9.15am): Joey Mead (capt), Lara Graham (vc), Luke Maher, Matthew Holmes, Lachlan Wesierski, Jack Craig, Ben Wallace, Jessica Davidson, Hamish Heeney, Oscar Spinks, Oliver McGill, Joshua Attard. Umpires: Doug Crowell/Trevor Perry