Dylan Smith's emergence continued on Sunday with the young tearaway impressing as the Narrabri 1st XI began their quest to go one better than last year with a rare victory in Tamworth.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
While they have tasted success over the perennial War Veterans Cup heavyweights at home, it was the first win in Tamworth that Narrabri skipper Lachie Cameron could remember.
"Very satisfied with that," Cameron said.
He had a lot to be satisfied with, aside from the result, with the bowlers doing a superb job to put them in a commanding position. Smart then produced an outstanding knock to steer them to a four wicket win.
"It turned out to be maybe a good toss to lose," Cameron joked.
"Very happy with six wickets in the first session. It was a really positive start," Cameron said.
Smith and Ryan O'Neill had the home side in disarray, Smith's dismissal of Harrison Kelly prompting them to lose 4-17 to slump to 5-48.
That then became 8-96, Simon Norvill the shining light with 48 off 40. Fortunately for Tamworth the tail had a bit of a sting in it with Bryan Warren (39) and Brad Redshaw (9) putting on 41 for the ninth wicket.
The introduction of Chris Sargent brought an end to their rearguard action with the spinner picking up both to dismiss Tamworth for 138.
He, O'Neill and Smith all finished with two wickets apiece, the latter particularly impressing Cameron in what was only his second War Veterans Cup game.
"Dylan Smith was fantastic with the new ball," he said.
"He moved them around a bit and just bowled tight, didn't give the loose balls away."
It has been a big few weeks for the teen. Earlier this month he represented ACT/NSW Country at the under-17s national championships in Mackay. He has also been named in the Northern Inland Bolters' squad for the Regional Big Bash - along with Cameron, Smart and Sargent - as well as the Central North under-18s for the Country Colts Championships in December.
It was an allround relatively tidy performance, the visitors only bowling four wides for the innings.
"We just kept making the batsmen play," Cameron said.
READ ALSO:
Smart then "batted really well" to get them home, the opener hitting 76 off 87 balls.
"He knew that one of us (either himself or Cameron) had to be there for the bulk of the innings and he did it," Cameron said.
"He just ignored the scoreboard and just batted."
He got some good support along the way from Ty Baker (17) and Justin Knight (19).
Tamworth skipper Jye Paterson knew at the change of innings they had a tough task ahead of them but was optimistic with the bowling attack they had they could make a game of it.
He thought considering the bowlers did a pretty good job - they just simply didn't score enough runs.
"We just didn't bat very well," Paterson said.
"Norvs (Simon Norvill) got us off to a good start. He batted quite well but no-one stuck with him."
Until Warren and Redshaw, Tamworth only had one partnership that was more than 20 runs.
Paterson said the Narrabri bowlers did bowl pretty well, but their shot selection was also poor.
"Everyone went a bit too hard I think," he said.
That was illustrated by the fact that they only lasted 31 overs.
He said Smart batted well.
"He picked his times when he went and executed well," he said.
Jack McVey led the charge for the home side, the City United quick taking 4-28 in what was a big effort after only arriving back in the country last week after spending the winter playing in England.
