Armidale's Connolly Cup captain Will Green has praised the efforts of a group of teenagers who starred in their round one victory against Walcha on Sunday.
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It took two overs for BJ Cameron to find his feet but by the third, he hit form with a wicket, followed by two wicket maiden overs, and only one run scored, to round out his opening spell.
It was redemption of sorts for the paceman who was named in the initial Northern Inland Bolters squad before his omission when the final team was announced via Facebook last Monday.
"I am very happy that the Bolters missed out!" Green said.
"He led the way for us with the ball."
Fifteen-year-old Ben Heagney, 16-year-olds Darcy McDermott and Hamish Biddle, and 18-year-old BJ Cameron proved the future of cricket is bright with a series of impressive performances.
"Those young guys really stood up yesterday, I was really impressed with the way they put in," Green said.
"BJ, I have been a bit of a fan of his for the last few years and have seen him come along as a good young cricketer around town.
"I didn't know too much of the other three that came through, Darcy, Hamish and Ben, but I was really impressed yesterday [Sunday]."
They played a hand in further wickets as well with Biddle taking a screamer early on to dismiss Daniel Boyd, Cameron landing another catch to send danger man Cameron Wood packing and Heagney claiming the final catch to end Walcha's innings.
"I think it was Hamish's catch that blew us all away, had to be in the right spot at the right time and it was a cracking catch," Greensaid.
"They all did exactly what I expected of them."
Green was filling in as captain for Clarrie Moran and said he will be putting their names forward again, along with a few other promising up-and-comers.
"I will definitely give them a rap to Clarrie when I talk to him over the next couple of weeks," he said.
"The idea was to give them a bit of exposure to it, hope they enjoy it and I am pretty sure they enjoyed most of it.
"If we can get those kids keen and enjoying that rep cricket, it will flow on in the next couple of years when it does come time for them to have a War Vet's side."
Green also praised Walcha for their sportsmanship throughout the match.
"It was a good game, it was friendly, it was played like cricket should be," he said.
"It was fun and it was competitive."