Liam Rodgers' decision to opt out of academy cricket last off-season, and take an extended break from the game, was a mature decision by a youngster who has matured into the best version of him to date.
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The 17-year-old, who recently began year 12 at Farrer, has been one of the revelations of the competition in 2019-20 - opening the batting for City United and scoring 173 runs in seven innings at an average of 34.60.
He is in ninth place on the batting standings. He finished last season in 48th place, after scoring 79 runs in 12 innings at 7.18.
Driving home on Sunday after a trip to Bunnings with his father Andrew, City's president, Rodgers said he now felt more relaxed at the crease - the result of freshening up mentally in the off-season and rediscovering his passion for the game.
"Previously, I was involved with [cricket] academies and stuff [in the off-season], but it wasn't interesting and it made me lose a bit of interest in the game," he said.
Not playing cricket last off-season was "just really refreshing", he said, and "made me improve my game".
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"It's nice be scoring runs. And I feel really good out in the middle."
There's another reason for Rodgers' form spike: Pete Mead. The veteran moved up from second grade to first grade this season to replaced Brad Smith as captain.
Mead had coached Rodgers years ago, and was reasonable for him joining City. The teen said Mead had a stabilising effect on the side: "He's definitely been helping everyone's games."
City won their third-straight match, beating West Tamworth by an innings in a two-dayer that concluded at Riverside 1 on Saturday. Rodgers scored 46 in an 89-run opening stand with Smith (68). After dismissing Wests for 179, City finished on 6-240 declared, with Wests 4-157 in their second dig.
City quick Andrew Baines finished with match figures of 8-63.
At Riverside 3, Old Boys were expected to beat Bective East outright, but the Bulls batsmen showed good resolve in their second innings to thwart that.
After being routed for 66 in the first innings and then watching first-placed Old Boys amass 300, the last-placed Bulls finished day two on 7-270.
No 4 Adam Jones made 82, while No 6 Ben Merrick crunched a 55-ball unbeaten 60 that included 11 boundaries. Brendan Matthews scored 43.
Old Boys quick Josh Smith took 4-64 off 14 overs.
At Riverside 2, North Tamworth had a first-innings win over South Tamworth - responding to Souths' 129 with 186. Souths finished on 3-77 in their second innings.
