NORTH West cricket teams begin State Combined High Schools Cricket Carnivals in Sutherland and Bathurst confident of success.
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Armidale’s Andrew Curry manages the North West Schools Sports Association boys’ side when it starts its 2016 championships against Western today while Oxley High’s Wendy Blaker is the manager-coach of the North West secondary girls’ side when it begins its State championship in Bathurst.
Both Curry and Blaker have strong sides at their disposal.
Blaker has been involved at the PSSA and CHS level for the last decade as well as being involved in the Central North Zone development of girls’ cricket and thinks this team is one of the best put together.
“When I first became involved, cricket (for girls) was their second or third sport,” Blaker said.
“Cricket in the North West and Central North has really, really developed and grown.
“Now it is their primary sport.
“All of these girls have all played PSSA for CHS and/or repped at CNZ level.
“Some have played State and played at Australian titles.
“It’s really good to go to a State Carnival and know that the girls know the game and understand it.
“The gap between city and country is also lessening.”
She said North West needs to start well after losing any chance at past carnivals on the first day.
“You need to start well – can’t afford to lose that first match.”
The boys’ team is in the same boat.
Curry is hoping his side can grab a winning start because he too has a very strong side.
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
“There are some very good cricketers in this side.”
One is Inverell’s Sage Cook.
“Sage is at his fourth State CHS carnival,” Curry said.
“He’s in form too. He scored 149 in a recent knockout match against Farrer.”
Tom Fitzgerald, Lachlan Fauchon and Ryan Meppem have all been playing first grade and in town representative teams.
Indeed, Meppem and Coby Cornish, if he doesn’t play for the Moree 16s, will be in Narrabri’s team to play Tamworth in this Sunday’s War Veterans Cup Final at Collins Park, Narrabri.
Young Farrer paceman Lachlan Davidson will be in the Tamworth side.
Davidson will spearhead the NW attack in Sutherland while the likes of Cooper Barnes and spinners Meppem and Lachlan Cooke will be key men too.
Cooke showcased his talents last Thursday night when the legspinner claimed 3-13 for his TPW Tigers in their Tamworth Premier League T20 Final win over McDonalds.
