Chris Coulton’s transitory relationship with Old Boys is in a rare holding pattern, as he plays a key role in trying to dig the highly successful side out of a little hole.
The 22-year-old right-arm quick’s career reached a new high, at a time when Old Boys need him most, after claiming 7-66 in a shock round-seven loss to West Tamworth last Saturday. It was only his second match this season.
But with him due to start the practical element of his nuclear-medicine degree at the end of January in Wollongong, he could be facing some serious travel time in the coming months.
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“If that’s what’s needed, I’ll have to come back. Definitely,” he said, in reference to being available if Old Boys require his services after he relocates to Wollongong – located 512 kilometres from Tamworth.
The Twenty-20 matches start on Saturday, with Old Boys playing South Tamworth at Riverside 1. They count towards the premiership.
Coulton will miss that match but expects to be available for the four remaining T20 clashes, before departing for Wollongong ahead of the resumption of the two-dayers on February 2.
He debuted in first grade, at Old Boys, in 2013-14 – playing two games. He played 15 and 12 games the following two seasons, before dropping to six games and one game the past two seasons.
He finished uni in Port Macquarie in October, and played his first match of the season in Old Boys’ round-six loss to South Tamworth – claiming 2-32.
“I’m just starting to get back into it,” he said. “I’ll do what I can do – try and help the team.”
Coulton played for Tamworth in the Ross Taylor Cup in 2011-12, and made his grade debut, at Old Boys, the same season.
“I wouldn’t play for anyone else [in Tamworth],” he said of Old Boys.
