A BRILLIANT century by Joe Gordon wasn’t enough as Mother Nature interfered to prevent a possible clean-sweep by Armidale over Tamworth in all three divisions of junior rep cricket over the weekend.
Armidale played host to Tamworth on Sunday under cloudy skies and threat of imminent rain.
The under-14s’ and under-16s’ longer format games ended in draws, however, despite darkening skies, the under-12s managed to secure a win just before the storm clouds rolled in.
Looking win its third match from as many contests, Armidale’s under-14 side put on its most impressive display of batting this season.
A majestic hundred by 11-year-old Joe Gordon set Armidale on its way to the imposing tally of 4/287.
Liam Neeson (55), Nick Farrar (36), Jack Carey (31) and Henry Smith (20) shared the spoils in the team’s highest total for the season.
In reply, Tamworth did not respond well, as Kieran Dennis claimed two quick wickets, and Jack Carey and Henry Smith combined to calmly run out Tamworth’s opening batsman. Armidale was disappointed to see the match abandoned after just 13 overs of Tamworth’s innings with the visitors struggling at 3/42.
Meanwhile, Armidale’s under-12 side, keen for win in the Northern Inland competition this season, were determined right from the start to complete the game before the rain.
Armidale bowled with venom to have Tamworth in trouble at 6/56 at the break.
It replied with 4/67 before Tamworth resumed looking to knuckle down and salvage a decent total.
Armidale seized the next four wickets quickly, restricting Tamworth to a mere 13 runs for their last four wickets.
Ben Hamilton (2-5) and Cotter Litchfield (2-8) did the most damage with the ball, while the team combined for three run outs to restrict Tamworth to 69.
It took Armidale just one over to secure the win.
Zendon Grieves top scored with an unbeaten 25 and was well supported by Cotter Litchfield (17), once again making his presence felt with the bat.
In similar fashion to the under-14s, the Armidale under-16 side, confident of success after restricting Tamworth to 9/159, had to settle for a draw when rain stopped play with Armidale on 2/17.
Darcy Jackson (2/4) and Liam Howard (2/39) were best with the ball for Armidale’s under-16s.
Armidale’s junior rep sides now break from the Northern Inland comp until February, with younger players concentrating on carnivals in Lismore and Ballina after Christmas, and Armidale’s under-15 side looking forward to hosting the Walter Taylor Shield in January.
