ARMIDALE might have lost both War Veterans Cup and MA Connolly Cup semi-finals on Sunday but there are plenty of reasons to be excited about the representative future of the university city, reckons the Armidale First X1 skipper.
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Matt Baillie skippered Armidale in its heart-breaking War Veterans Cup loss in Tamworth on Sunday and, while lamenting the one wicket loss due to an amazing innings from Troy Osborne, reckons the city is in good shape with some talented players.
That Armidale made both semi-finals of the WVC and Connolly Cup was a good point in itself, he said.
Losing them was a disappointment but both sides had to play away from home, the Second XI, skippered by Brad Rafferty playing Moree in Moree and Baillie and his side up against Tamworth at No 1 Oval, Tamworth.
“I think it is an exciting time for Armidale cricket,” Baillie said after Sunday’s cruel and narrow loss.
“It’s good to make the two semi-finals.
“It’s been a credit to all the boys in both sides.”
While the Second XI were well beaten by a Moree side that will host Glen Innes in Sunday’s Connolly Cup Final at Harbourne Oval, Moree, the Armidale First XI were in control for all bar the final few overs as South Tamworth allrounder Osborne went airborne in an amazing innings.
At 8-144 and chasing Armidale’s 219, Osborne ignited, smashing eight sixes and a four in 69-ball punisher.
He took 37 balls to hit his first six and then showed it was no fluke by smoking seven more, some of them into the top of the iconic plane trees at No 1 Oval, to finish unbeaten on 80.
Tamworth made 9-220 and ended up doing it with a few overs to spare.
The day had started well for Armidale although its batsmen failed to capitalise on starts.
Armidale’s first six batsmen made double figures, with openers Michael Dawson (25) and Brad Smith (49) putting on an opening stand of 54 while allrounders Todd Francis (44) and Scott Brennan (20) added 65 for the fourth wicket.
219 was “below par” Baillie said as he rued not taking full advantage of those starts to hit out in the final 10 overs.
Dropping four catches also hurt the side, including two from Adam Jones, who made 51 and one early on from Osborne.
They could have so easily been playing this Sunday’s final against Narrabri at Narrabri but instead the Tamworth side heads west to tackle Lachlan Cameron and his buoyant side after they disposed of Tamworth Blue by five wickets at Collins Park on Sunday.
After Jake Brayshaw had snared 5-25 with his left-arm chinamen spinners, routing the Blues for 89, Cameron (16) and Nick Smart (23) put on 31 for the opening wicket before Ryan Meppem’s 32 took the side to two runs short of victory.
Finishing 5-90 ensured Narrabri’s first home WVC Final since 2001.
