TAMWORTH Blue skipper Ben Semmler believes the Tamworth 2nd XI side have a young list capable of giving the War Veterans Cup a shake, despite a scratchy start against Gunnedah last weekend as they hit the road to Inverell for the second round on Sunday.
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The Tamworth side only came together for the first time on Sunday after their first-round Country Plate knockout against the same side was postponed the week before, making this game a fixture in both competitions.
The side has no shortage of bowling talent and unleashed it last week to have Gunnedah all out for 110.
While Brad Jenkinson and Shawn Mepham are unavailable this week, the side hasn’t lost too much with the ball as Mitch Holt and Phil Constable step up.
Jye Paterson will also sit out the weekend after opening with the bat last week.
Semmler will spearhead the Tamworth Blue attack through the summer, although in his first game at the helm let the younger bowlers open up first.
“It is an honour to captain the side but there is a lot to think about bowling and captaining,” Semmler said.
“Normally I would have opened but I went second change.”
The move proved to be a great tactic as the veteran paceman helped pull the run rate back and pin the Gunnedah middle order down after openers Cameron Milne and Al Hillard put on a 48-run partnership at the top.
“Low chases are always difficult,” Semmler said.
It proved to be just that as the visitors’ top order collapsed early to be floundering at 7-47 before 16-year-old Tom Fitzgerald and Brad Jenkinson saved the day with an unbeaten 63-run partnership.
“Tom has always been very good but is young and maybe didn’t have the confidence to play first grade until this season,” Semmler said.
“He has got that now and we hope he can keep running with it.”
Fitzgerald will again bat at number four this week but is hoping for some more support from the likes of Chris Dobson and Abel Carney at the top.
Inverell will be looking to bounce back after they copped a 239-run loss against Tamworth last weekend.
That Tamworth side’s list has been raided by the Northern Inland Bolters, who will be taking eight players from that side to Ballina for Sunday’s Plan B Bash.
Don Lewington will now skipper the Tamworth side, who should still have the firepower to dismiss Narrabri with batsmen like Adam Lole, Harrison Kelly and Nick Pearson in the top order and Angus McNeil and Chris Coulton spearheading the bowling attack.
The other War Vets Cup fixture will see Armidale host Gunnedah at the Sportsground.
Tamworth: Don Lewington (c) Matt Zell (vc), Glen Lewington, Adam Lole, Nick Pearson, Harrison Kelly, Adam Mills, Caleb McNeil, Paul Pittman, Angus McNeil, Campbell Baker, Chris Coulton
Tamworth Blue: Ben Semmler(c), Chris Dobson, Tom Fitzgerald, Abel Carney, Mitch Holt, Mackenzie Morrison, Jack Richards, Chaise Crough, Lachlan Davidson, Brad Redshaw, Phil Constable, Tait Jordan.
Tamworth Colts: Lachlan Fauchon (c), Kayne Shearman, Harrison Pettit , Evan Brownsmith, Kieran Betts, Aaron Follington, Harrison Hague, Cooper Barnes, Tait Jordan, Tim Unwin, Sam Turton, Lachlan Betts.
