By MATT NICHOLLS
ARMIDALE was given a comprehensive cricket lesson when it was hammered by Tamworth in the final of the War Veterans Cup on Sunday.
Playing against the runners-up of this year’s SCG Country Cup, Armidale had no answers for the might of the home side.
The Andrew Brownlie-skippered team was bundled out for 114 after being sent in by Tamworth.
In reply, Armidale didn’t take a wicket as Tamworth notched up a comfortable 10-wicket victory in the 14th over.
There were few contributors for the Armidale side, although Michael Dawson’s batting display was the standout.
On a wicket that did a bit early, Dawson grinded his way to 38 from 79 balls, batting almost two hours.
He fell when the score was 8/95 after coming in at first drop.
Dawson had little support, with Ben Welch (12), Brad Smith (13) and Stephen Butler (14) the only others to make double figures.
With the ball, Armidale struggled to find the right lengths as aggressive Tamworth openers Simon Norvill and Nick Person made light work of the run chase.
Norvill, who scored 88 last time the two sides met, crushed 78 from 45 balls, while Pearson made sure he had red ink to his name, finishing with 29 off 36.
It was Tamworth’s 10th straight victory in the War Veterans Cup.
Meanwhile, all Armidale cricket was washed out on Saturday and Friday’s Big Bash matches were moved to this Friday night, with the final still to be played on Sunday.
This week’s senior grade fixtures are:
1st grade: Hillgrove v Ex-Services at Lambert Park, Easts v City at the Sportsground.
2nd grade: Barbarians v Ex-Services at Rologas, Hillgrove v TAS at Moran Oval, Guyra v City at Guyra Turf.
3rd grade: Hillgrove Brumbies v TAS Blue at Harris Park, TAS White v Hillgrove Colts at TAS Oval, Guyra v Ex-Services.
