WILL Howard might have missed out on any best and fairest points in the Cool Blue Ice Tamworth Best & Fairest Award but he didn’t miss out on the scoreboard.
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The 21-year-old paceman skittled the Bulls early to claim 3-18 from his six overs in Saturday’s easy seven-cricket victory at Scully Park.
After routing Bective for 101, Old Boys then replied with 3-105 in just 16.4 overs, grabbing two bonus points along the way.
They now sit at the top of the first grade premiership and one-day tables.
And they have a dangerous young fast bowler in good form.
“It’s the best I’ve felt all season,” Howard said on Saturday.
“I had an injury against Souths earlier in the season and have worked through it. Today it was good.
“We have a strong side too and the club’s going good.
“The Attunga boys have come in and helped strengthen us as well.”
He said the batting of openers Adam Lole and Simon Norvill had been instrumental in helping his side to the top of the tables.
“They have been good at the top of the order.
“Always getting us a good start and giving us something to bowl to.
“Adam’s been scoring tons too before today (duck) but it’s great to have a solid top order.”
Bective opener and club stalwart James Haling said Howard’s first spell was quick and admits he was late playing a ball that bowled him.
“Jonesie’s dismissal was pretty similar,” he said of Howard’s rattling of Adam Jones’s stumps.
“He had gone through Jonesie a couple of times.
“He looked good out there too – bowled with good rhythm and good height.”
Haling said Matt Everett “was looking good” until he was out innocuously.
“Nick (Pearson) was looking good too.”
However the Bulls folded for just 101 and Old Boys snared a seven wicket win.
While Howard missed out on any points, Aaron Hazlewood claimed the three points after taking 1-19 off his eight overs and then banging a six and five fours in his unbeaten 30.
It leapt Hazlewood to the top of the B&F points table.
Norvill received the two points and 15-year-old Lachlan Davidson received one point after taking 2-15 opening the bowling for the Bulls.
Hazlewood leads the Tamworth B&F ladder from Lole and South Tamworth pair Nick Leyden and Chris Skilton.
City United’s Simon Toyer joined Anthony Crompton (West), Jones (Bective) and Norvill (Old Boys) in equal fifth after he polled the three points in his side’s win over West Tamworth.
Matt Kent grabbed the two points and Dan Whale the one.
South Tamworth’s Jake Everett polled the three points in his side’s controversial tie with North Tamworth.
Leyden, the South skipper, received the two points and North Tamworth top order bat Kris Halloran the one.