Tom Groth would love Scott Brennan’s attitude – all gung-ho about progressing his cricket to the farthest reaches of his potential.
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Groth has done the same, and celebrated a national country championship with NSW Country in January. He recently bemoaned the drop in interest in the region of wanting to play rep cricket.
Brennan’s quest to become a better cricketer saw him play a season of English amateur cricket last year with Heslerton in the Scarborough Beckett League’s division one. He then signed with City United after a long first-grade career with Hillgrove Colts in Armidale. The 23-year-old off-spinner, who is useful with the blade, said he was 13 years old when he debuted in the top grade.
Against West Tamworth at Riverside 2 on Saturday, he had a red-letter day on his journey of self-improvement, taking 6-67 off 19 overs as Wests were bowled out for 206. Only his 6-16 playing for Heslerton tops that performance.
In the past 12 months he has produced his two best bowling efforts, moved to a higher standard of club cricket and made his Bolters debut in the Plan B Regional Bash. It’s a classic example of reward for effort.
He said City United skipper Brad Smith and City No.3 Tom Fitzgerald, who played for Filey in the Beckett League last year, encouraged him to play for the club. He still lives in Armidale.
“I thought it was a bigger challenge to come down to Tamworth,” he said, adding: “It should always be a passion for everyone to play at the highest level they can, and I was lucky enough to play first grade in Tamworth this year.”
Brennan said the stint in England “absolutely, 100 per cent” improved his cricket.
“The experience when I went over there was amazing. There were a lot of fellas over there that helped me out, and to come here it’s taken off again.”
Prior to this round, Brennan had taken 13 wickets at an average of 23.8 in nine first-grade matches.
Against Wests, City’s batsmen did not back up Brennan’s fine display on day one of the two-dayer, as the side slumped to 5-41 at stumps.
Wests quick Brock Ridgewell and off-spinner Dan Collinson – coming off good performances amid Old Boys No.4 Aaron Hazlewood’s 62-ball 125 in the one-day final on Friday night – claimed three wickets and two wickets respectively on Saturday.
Collinson also made 33, while skipper David Mudaliar (49) and No.3 Shaun Stevenson (35) were Wests’ best batsmen.