TAMWORTH Blue defended a small total with another impressive bowling and fielding display when they knocked 10-man Armidale out of the Country Plate in their second- round clash at Armidale Sportsground yesterday.
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Chasing Tamworth Blue’s small 113 total, the home side was dismissed for 91.
“We were disappointing with the bat,” skipper Ben Semmler said.
“But we bowled and fielded well.
“We had a good start too with the bat, were one or two down for 50 at one stage but when Tommy (Fitzgerald) was run out, that was the turning point.
“The tail didn’t wag.”
Fitzgerald topscored with 34 ( 37 balls) but when he was run out by Nick Day, the Blues were 5-69.
He and wicketkeeper Abel Carney (17) had added 48 for the second wicket but the Blues lost their last five wickets for 33 runs as Brayden Graham (3-33) and Brad Widders (4-20) ripped through the team to dismiss Tamworth in just 24.5 overs.
In contrast, Armidale went about its run chase in steady fashion.
Michael Dawson (19 from 70) and skipper Brad Smith (16 from 34) put on 21 and Dawson and Aaron Whackett (13 from 47) put on 22 but couldn’t consolidate as the Blue bowlers took constant wickets.
Opening bowlers Lachlan Davidson (1-8 off 7) and Brad Redshaw (1-22 off 9) were on target then Tait Jordan continued his brilliant form to claim 4-13 in his six overs of great line and length.
Skipper Ben Semmler also nipped in with 2-6 against the below-strength home side who toughed it out despite playing one short.
While beaten, Smith was impressed by his young side.
“We were in it all the way,” he said. “I was really happy with everyone in our side, real proud of them.
“It’s tough to play with 10.
“And Tamworth being dominant over the years it was good that we got so close.”
He said it was sad they couldn’t complete the task and beat the Blues with one shot but Smith was “so proud of the boys for playing so well”.
“We didn’t throw it away,” he added.
“We really gutsed it out and Tamworth did bowl well.
“They batted well early but we pegged them back after they were 50 off about seven overs.”
Bowled out for 113, the Blues then excelled with the ball.
“We kept bowling dot balls, kept the pressure on,” Semmler said.
“That’s been our strength this season.
“Lachie and Tait were outstanding and stuck with the game plan.”
