Tamworth Blue romped to a home victory at Riverside on Friday after skittling Hawkesbury for just 41 to take out the annual U14s carnival for the first time since 2013.
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It was a big week for the home side, not only battling the stifling conditions but also battling against seven other quality sides from all over the state, even bouncing back from a tough loss on Tuesday to Nambucca to lift the trophy on Friday afternoon.
After Tamworth rolled Hawkesbury in Wednesday’s round game for 53 confidence was high for the hosts, as the visitors looked for a different game plan by winning the toss and electing to send Tamworth into bat first in the final.
Once again it was Jess Davidson that stood up with the willow, backing up her run a ball 35 from Thursday’s semi-final victory over Armidale with a knock of 38 in the final as Tamworth batted out the 50 overs to finish at 9-111.
Keeper Lachlan Wesierski also contributed with a hard earnt 20, while Joey Ryan (16*) and Josh Attard (4*) got the side into triple figures with a last wicket 12 run stand.
In reply the Tamworth bowlers tore the visitors apart, with coach Bede Maher saying that they stuck to their plan and took consistent wickets.
Only opener Mitchell Roeder offered any resistance with 14 at the top, with only his brother Jake (9) making more than three runs as they crumbled under some great pressure form the fielding team.
Man of the final Josh Attard backed up a five wicket haul in the semi-final with another superb performance to take 4-6 from five overs.
He was well supported by Jayden Betts who took 3-8 while opener Joey Ryan took 2-7.
“It has been a real team effort all week,” Maher said.
“There was some exceptional bowling and fielding all round and a couple of top catches.”
“They stuck to the perfect line and length and the pressure was on Hawkesbury from the start.”
In the other matches West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook beat Armidale to claim third, while Manly beat Lismore for fifth and Nambucca-Bellingen beat the Peel River Renegades for seventh.
