TAMWORTH heads south and north on a Country Cup and Country Plate third-round mission on Sunday.
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The Tamworth First XI are in Maitland on Country Cup assignment while the Tamworth Blues take on Armidale in the Plate.
They snuck home against Gunnedah two weeks ago to earn their spot in the second round with teenager Tom Fitzgerald saving the day.
Blues skipper Ben Semmler is expecting a similarly tough game on Sunday against what he expects to be a “a strong first XI”.
The batting has taken a bit of a hit, with openers Chris Dobson and Jye Paterson both out.
They’ve also lost Brad Jenkinson to the 1st XI but do get Shawn Mepham back after playing for the Northern Bolters last weekend.
Glenn Lewington also comes in and will bat at the top.
This week’s wet weather has created a bit of uncertainty but there is the scope to play on synthetic.
Semmler is hoping it doesn’t come to that.
“Our bowling attack will be half as effective on syntho,” he said.
They have a good pace battery and one of Semmler’s biggest problems may be juggling his bowlers.
“I’m confident with the bowling attack,” he said.
“We’ve proven the first two games we’ve got a good attack.
“We’ve got four or five opening bowlers who can keep the pressure on.”
“Tait (Jordan) bowled well in his first rep game last week and Brad Redshaw and Lachie (Davidson) bowled really well early on.”
“We’ll be looking to keep that form up.”
Last week they had Inverell 7-66 at one stage.
It’s not just the quicks.
The spinners have played their part and have benefited from the pressure the earlier bowlers have created.
While happy with the bowling, Semmler will be looking for more from his batsmen, particularly the middle order.
“We probably need the middle order to show a bit more application than they have the first two games,” he said.
Last week they got a good start but lost their way a bit in the middle.
Against Gunnedah they had to be bailed out by the tail after finding themselves 7-47.
The other Plate fixture will see Inverell at home to Narrabri.
TAMWORTH 1st XI: Tom Groth (c), Simon Norvill, Adam Lole, Michael Rixon, Ben Middlebrook, Harrison Kelly, Troy Osborne, Brad Jenkinson, Brendon Reynolds, Angus McNeill, Will Chesterfield.
TAMWORTH BLUES: Ben Semmler (c), Glenn Lewington, Abel Carney, Tom Fitzgerald, Shawn Mepham, Mackenzie Morrison, Jack Richards, Chaise Crough, Lachie Davidson, Brad Redshaw, Tait Jordan, Cooper Barnes.