Rain and a lightning strike caused Saturday’s Twenty20 gala day between North Tamworth and South Tamworth at No.1 Oval to fall a bit flat but the new concept has merit going forward, says Redbacks captain Brendan Rixon.
The idea, in its inaugural year, is the brainchild of Rixon’s brother, Norths top-order batsman Michael. Under it, all four grades were scheduled at the ground, starting in the morning with fourth grade and culminating in the evening with first grade.
“It was a pretty good effort to get a game in, really,” Brendan Rixon said, adding: “I don’t know how many times the covers were taken off yesterday [Saturday] and the day before, but it would have to be more than, say, six. And just both clubs were really keen to get a game in.
“The gala day concept is fantastic. And I think barring the weather [it was] a really good success, and we’ll definitely we’ll be looking to do that again next year – at least once.”
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In the end, third grade was washed out and second grade was called off so the top-grade clash could commence at 8pm
Put into bat, Souths were dismissed for 102 in the 18th over. Tom Groth struck a 33-ball 37, while Adam Mills claimed 4-15 off fours overs and Adam Greentree 3-9 off four overs, on a wicket that gave the bowlers plenty of assistance.
Norths’ run chase was interrupted by a lightning strike around the East Tamworth hills and then rain. With the target reduced, Norths finished on 2-69 in the 12th over, to record their third straight win. Lachlan Fauchon finished on 27 not out.
It was Souths’ third consecutive loss.
The City United-Bective East clash at Riverside 1 was washed out.
