THE Armidale Under-14s representative cricket team has continued on its winning way with a thrilling victory over Moree on Sunday.
Captain Jack Carey (75 not out), and batsmen Nick Farrar (31) and Liam Neeson (29), put Armidale in a good position batting first, setting Moree a total of 187 to win.
At 1/16 after 10 overs Armidale were confident they could continue to contain Moree’s run-scoring and build the pressure necessary to take wickets.
However Moree’s Paddy Montgomery had a different idea. He amassed a magnificent 79 not out on his home ground to almost take the game away from Armidale.
Scores were level-pegging until the second drinks break, much to the frustration of the Armidale spectators who were beginning to think Moree were well on their way to a win.
With Montgomery finding the middle of the bat with every ball, the situation was not looking good for Armidale
Then a bowling change saw Armidale’s opening combination brought back into the attack. This proved the difference with Moree losing their last five wickets in four overs. With the loss of all his partners, Montgomery had also lost the potential for a winning innings.
Moree finished 41 runs behind in a game that, on paper, doesn’t look as close as it really was.
Best bowling for Armidale was Kieran Dennis (3/7), Liam Neeson (2/3) and Daniel Boyd (2/21).
“It was an extraordinarily good performance from the Under-14s again,” coach Michael Dennis said.
“Their batting was top class again, and it was impressive that they hung in in the heat even when challenged by the Moree batsmen. And they once again prevailed.”
Armidale’s Under-12 side also travelled to Moree on Sunday but despite another good innings from Cotter Litchfield (26) and some good bowling from Zenden Grieves (3/23) and Vincent Marshall (2/20), they couldn’t stop Moree posting 156 runs which proved a few too many for Armidale to chase down.
The Armidale junior representative sides will host Tamworth in two weeks before having a break from the Northern Inland competition until after Christmas.
