TAMWORTH Blue under 12, 14 and 16 cricket teams almost had the perfect start to their new Hunter Valley Junior Cricket Association season against Maitland at Tamworth’s Riverside on Sunday.
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The Blue 12s and 16s both had impressive wins but, unfortunately, the Blue 14s suffered an 18-run loss on Riverside 2.
After bowling Maitland out for 144, the Clive Barton-coached 14 Blues recorded 126.
“It was disappointing to lose but we stuck it to Maitland,” Barton said.
“The bowling was great and we were good in the field too.
“I thought our attack was real good.
“Alex Roseby took four wickets (4-20 off 9.2 overs). Jamie Wallace only got one but tied them down with his leg spin.
“James Austin (1-9 off 8 overs) was good too.
“Hamish Fauchon batted well – finished with 32 – and Joe Doherty (27) also batted well.”
Doherty backed up his 27 with 2-28 from his six overs against a Maitland side for whom Logan Smith topscored with 49.
Dean Gabriel (21) and Jack Montgomery (15) also got starts before Jock Vivers led the bowling with a fine 3-15 from his six overs.
Sean Gibson failed to take a wicket but bowled tightly to finish with 0-13 from his eight overs.
The results were much different for the Blues 12s and 16s.
The Simon Hood-coached 16s only made 117 at Dick Edwards Oval but the diabolical wicket made it difficult for any batsman.
Lachie Davidson topscored for the Blues with 33, Jack Davison (18). Sam Attwell (16) and Liam Dunn (14) also batted well while there were 24 extras.
Connor Lupton (4-21 off 10 overs) and Elliot Pengraze (4-14) were good for a Maitland side that replied with 71.
Trent Page (17) and Callum Cross (13) topscored for Maitland after wides (18).
Harrison Hague (4-19) was the bowling star for the Tamworth Blues.
“He bowled very well,” Hood said.
“Cooper Barnes also took 3-12.
“But all the boys bowled well. It was a great way to start.
“Our fielding was 100 percent and, apart from the 18 wides, our bowling was good.”
At Max Sutton Oval, the Under 12 Blues had a “fantastic start”, co-coach Bede Maher said.
“We were superb. We had them 5-10, 6-12, 7-20 8-30 and 9-42 before they were all out for 62.
“Our two opening bowlers, Joey Mead and Josh Attard, were great.
“Joey took 3-4 off his four overs Josh took 3-7 from his four, Lara Graham chipped in with 2-17 from her four and Luke (Maher) took 1-11.
“We made 2-88 off 20 overs.”
Maher produced a good double to open the batting with an unbeaten 26.
He and Lachlan Wesierski (15) put on 31 for the opening wicket while Graham (14) and Jack Craig (13no) also batted well.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better performance from them,” Maher said.
“I haven’t seen Joey Mead bowl so fast and Josh Attard so tight.”
The three Blue teams are off to Cessnock this Sunday for second-round matches.
