Quirindi’s Terry Cohen will skipper the Country Over 60s No 2 side while Tamworth’s Bob Haling will skipper the Country No 1 side after both took part in Sunday’s final Northern Conference match.

Batting first, Tamworth made 6-186 before bowling Quirindi out for 176.

Haling (21), Noel Cook (20), Col Barton (31no), Peter Boyd (31no), Dave Head (24), Ron Farrell (13no) and Terry Murphy (12no) all batted well with Cohen claiming 3-25 from his seven overs for Quirindi.

Jim Stewart (1-18), Myron Novelly (1-23) and Ken Cudmore (1-19)   had wicket-taking success before Cudmore (17), Stewart (11), Rick Sampson (42) and Mark Burgess (19) all gave the home side a good start.

While their run rate was good, they lost a steady flow of wickets, with Novelly (16) and left arm seamer Dennis Moran (33), just back from injury, almost steering the side home.

Graeme Whitten (3-38) and  Peter Boyd (2-18) led the wicket-taking effort for Tamworth with Steve Beaton (1-10), Ian Kitching (1-24),  Murphy (1-36) and Farrell (1-7) also successful.

Head, the Tamworth vets’ secretary,  said it was a good finish to the NI Conference after last week’s one-run thriller in Armidale.

Quirindi, Tamworth and Armidale players also feature prominently in the two Country Over 60 sides to play in the State Of Origin in Armidale next week as well as the Country Over 70 side.

Tamworth finished with six players in the Country Firsts, with  Haling to captain.  Murphy, Chris Crowell, Robert Kahler,  Whitten and Boyd (Walcha) are joined in that side by Quirindi’s Rick Sampson and Dennis Moran.

 Cohen skippers a Country 2s also including Quirindi teammate John Southam as well as Tamworth’s Kitching, Steve Beaton,  Head, Farrell, Col Barton and Tom Kellett.

The Country Over 70s includes Tamworth’s Noel Cook, Mike Cashman and vice captain Doug Truman along with Quirindi’s Maurie Hamilton.