GUNNEDAH has nothing to lose in this Sunday’s Connolly Cup fixture against Moree and captain Ryan Cooper believes the boys will perform a lot better now they are just playing for fun.
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“The team looks quite good,” Cooper said.
“We always have fun when we play but we might have a bit of a swing on Sunday.”
Gunnedah’s second side is quite young and may have paid for that last game.
“Six of them were at Schoolies when we played Tamworth last game,” Cooper said.
That loss and the loss to Narrabri has all but ended their chances.
Cooper will get a first- hand look at the deck at Wolseley Park tomorrow before the match.
“I play there on Saturday,” Cooper said.
“We have been playing on roads all year but that bit of rain has brought it to life.”
“Last weekend was the best deck we have had all year.”
Veteran Troy Sands will hold the young bowling attack together and will open with Brad Swain.
Sands and Cooper have busy weekends, playing in the Tamworth T20 final tonight, grade cricket tomorrow, followed by Connolly Cup on Sunday.
Cooper is considering an inquiry into Sands.
“He uses a walking frame to get here but then I see him in Tamworth opening the batting,” he said. “The old man is back with a vengeance.”
The skipper said traditionally Moree was a slap-happy side that could go either way.
“It will be very interesting,” Cooper said.
“Last year they put 280-odd on us at Kitchener.”
“I don’t think it will go that way on Wolseley.”
While Moree and Gunnedah do battle, front runners Tamworth will be at Narrabri, and Glen Innes will host Armidale while Bingara has the bye.
Gunnedah side: Ryan Cooper (c), Ben Haire, Brad Gander, Blake Small, Luke Curgenven, Bryce Johnstone, Brad Swain, Zac Wheatland, Brad King, Troy Sands, Izaac Merlehan