Gunnedah head into the final round of the Connolly Cup competition sitting in a strong position on the Western Conference ladder.
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With just one round going ahead so far after the opening matches were washed out, Gunnedah has claimed the one win from one start.
That win came against Pilliga last year as Darrin Cameron (3-13) and Vinnie Winsor (3-16) did the bulk of the damage with the ball.
Kaleb McIlveen (38*), Ryan Cooper (45) and Zachary Wheatland (20) then ensured the victory with a fine batting display.
Gunnedah will take on Tamworth this Sunday in Gunnedah with a win guaranteeing a spot in the semi-finals for the home team.
Tamworth have named a strong side for the clash, one selector Chris Paterson is confident can get the job done.
”It’s a long batting order.
“We bat down to about nine so are pretty strong in that area, and we’ve got a lot of bowling options as well,” he said.
Brock Ridgewell and James Austin will lead the attack. They’ll be backed up by Lachlan Barton and Noah Pitt, who has been regular among the wickets for the Tamworth under 16s, with Aaron Madirazza and Lachie Cooke providing the spin.
Pitt will be joined by under 16s team-mates Tom Haling and Liam Rodgers.
The latter notched an unbeaten 45 in their final game at this week’s Stan Austin Carnival.
“It’s a pretty young side. We’re just trying to get a few of these young fellas going,” Paterson said.
The likes of Brock Morley, Lachlan Barton, Madirazza and James Austin aren’t long out of their junior days.
Sunday will also see Travis Ling make his rep debut.
“He plays second grade for Souths,” Paterson said.
Opening the innings, Ling has been in good touch, with two centuries and two half-centuries to his name.
It will be the first game Tamworth has played this season with both their previous games washed out, leaving them in danger of missing out on the finals.
The other Western Conference game will see Pilliga take on Moree.
Over in the Eastern Conference Gwydir take on Glen Innes and Walcha meet Armidale.
TAMWORTH: Dan Whale, James Haling, Brock Morley, Liam Rodgers, Tom Haling, Lachlan Barton, Noah Pitt, Lachie Cooke, Brock Ridgewell, Aaron Madirazza, Travis Ling, James Austin.
