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Tamworth was too strong for its younger Armidale opponents on Tuesday, on the first day of the annual Walter Taylor Shield.
Its first game in the annual cricket carnival, which featured teams from across northern NSW, was against Armidale’s second side at Lambert Oval in Armidale.
Fast bowler Oscar Spinks did the damage with the ball, taking 5/11 in just 20 balls as they bundled the inexperienced Armidale boys out for 39 in 30 overs before Tamworth’s opening batsmen, Luke Maher and Joey Ryan steered their team to victory.
Maher was unbeaten on 21 and Ryan on 14 when they passed Armidale’s total in the 12th over.
In the Armidale innings, several of the batsmen got off the mark and played the occasional impressive shot, but the Tamworth attack was simply too strong.
Number 9 Alex Barlin top scored with 8 before he was bowled by Spinks, to take his fourth wicket.
The innings ended when Spinks bowled Brock Parsons for 4.
Among the other bowlers, Jess Davison took 2/2 off five overs and the other multiple wicket taker was Josh Attard with 2/7.
Luke Maher took 1/7 picking up the wicket of Tom Craig.
With a team of mostly 13-year-olds, Armidale’s coach Jason Tanner said he was proud of the effort his young charges displayed against their older Tamworth opponents.
“To come up against an elite Tamworth team, like they did today, I’m proud of them,” Tanner said.
“It’s great for cricket, these are the fellas that will probably be rep cricketers next year for Walter Taylor because they will be at that age.”
Despite the loss to Tamworth he said the boys had showed great teamwork.
“Getting beaten by that margin, you can’t help that,” Tanner said. “They are a good team Tamworth, always have been and always will be.”
The only other New England side playing in the carnival, Armidale’s senior team, played West Pennant Hills at Harris Park yesterday and scored 6/228 batting first.
It was too much for their opponents from Sydney, who were bowled out for 176.
Number 6 batsmen Ben Murphy scored 64 not out for Armidale, in an innings that included seven boundaries and three sixes.
Nick Page the pick of the Armidale bowlers, taking 4/37 off 10 overs.
The four-day competition continues today, with the Tamworth side taking on Lismore at The Armidale School Oval.
Armidale’s number one side will play Hunter Valley at Lambert Oval, and the younger team will take on Penrith at Bellevue Oval.
The under 15s carnival will conclude with the grand final on Friday.