Playing in the opens Country Championships in Inverell, the 17-year-old took on some of northern NSW’s best cricketers and held his own. 

Central North took on Central Coast first up on Friday and Gwynne managed to claim his side’s first wicket in their campaign, bowling opener Tony Cornwell for 10. 

He also picked up the wickets of Central Coast’s number three and four batsmen to finish the game at 3-38 from 10 overs. 

The second match against North Coast proved a tougher task for the Central North side.

No bowler managed a breakthrough for Central North as the coastal boys romped home.

“It was a bit of a flat wicket so that didn't really help and they had some pretty good batsmen,” Gwynne said.  

They narrowly missed out on a win against Western on the third day to round out the competition. 

“The last day we needed a bonus point so we needed to chase it in 30 overs so we ended up going a bit too hard and got bowled out,” Gwynne said. 

“First day I was really happy, I went pretty good and then the second day was a pretty hard day for the bowlers but I thought I bowled okay.” 

“I had a half chance if it went to a fieldsman but it didn't, that happens. 

“I got a bat on the last day which was pretty cool.

“I think I made 17 so I surprised myself.”

It wasn’t just the on-field performances Gwynne took a lot out of. 

He also enjoyed being around more experienced teammates and opponents. 

“It was pretty hard, a bit different, the bats were pretty good,” Gwynne said. 

“It was good to see how the older guys go about it, they are pretty professional. 

“Tom Groth is about to break the Country NSW appearance [record] so he has been around forever. 

“I learnt a heap, I loved it.”