One of the most pleasing things for Tamworth skipper Tom Groth to come out of Sunday’s War Veterans Cup win was the performance of his pace battery.
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They put on a masterclass to dismiss Armidale for 130. Tait Jordan led the way with a man of the match 3-46 and was well supported by Lachie Davidson (3-11) and Tom O’Neill (2-32).
It was an encouraging performance as Tamworth prepare to chase a third Country Cup at Grafton after Christmas.
The trio will be, with Brendon Reynolds, the frontline pace bowlers. Reynolds comes into the side along with Jack Richards, Adam Lole, Caleb McNeill and Micheal Rixon.
“Loley will be a great addition. He’s played a lot of that cricket,” Groth said.
“And he played well against Terrigal.”
Rixon has also been there before.
For many of the side though it will be their first Cup finals campaign.
Jordan is one of those and was a somewhat surprised to win the man of the man, deflecting the praise onto his fellow quicks.
“Tommy started well with H (Harrison Kelly), and then he and Lachie set a good platform,” he said.
Jordan then took the ball with Davidson.
“He bowled nice and tight up the other end and I reaped the rewards,” he said.
Those “rewards” really broke the game open with Jordan picking up Kyle Taylor and Todd Francis in successive deliveries. Three overs later he bowled Armidale skipper Matt Baillie to have them reeling at 5-47.
This is the City United’s quick first season with the First XI and he can’t wait for Grafton, where Tamworth will face the Southern Spirit in their semi-final. Even if it has meant having to rejig his Christmas plans a bit and come back earlier than planned.
“It’ll be good to verse a couple of new sides,” he said.
It will also be another step up. He said he hard worked over the off-season on trying to get a bit quicker, and is with each game he plays with the top side starting to feel more comfortable in his role.
The side Tamworth will be taking to Grafton is: Michael Rixon, Brad Smith, Caleb McNeill, Tom Fitzgerald, Tom Groth (capt), Troy Osborne, Brendon Reynolds, Jack Richards, Tom O’Neill, Lachie Davidson, Tait Jordan.