The joy of a rare Gunnedah defeat of Tamworth was encapsulated by the man of the match, pocket-rocket quick Brad Jenkinson, hollering and jumping and fist-pumping the air after claiming the last wicket in a seven-run War Veterans Cup triumph at Wolseley Park on Sunday.
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He did the same when he claimed the ninth wicket in his previous over – with Gunnedah wicketkeeper James Mack playing a role in both caught-behind dismissals in the one-dayer.
When Jenkinson – Gunnedah’s best bowler and the bearer of a fearsome reputation – came back to earth after both wickets, he ran into the waiting arms of his equally thrilled teammates, who saluted his match haul of 6-16 from 9.1 overs by allowing him to leave the field first and applauding him as he did so.
He knocked over Tamworth’s top four batsmen, including their skipper, Tom Groth, for a duck, as the visitors slumped to 4-13 chasing 185.
It was only for the efforts of in-form youngster Tom Fitzgerald, clearly improved after a stint playing in England this year, and another youngster, Lachlan Barton, that Tamworth got so close.
When No.3 Fitzgerald fell for 93 in the second-last over, he became Jenkinson’s fifth scalp. Batting at No.8, Barton made 34 before he fell to Gunnedah skipper Mitchell Swain.
On a day when the mercury reached 37 degrees Celsius, and with little or no wind to comfort the players, it was reward for a tremendous effort – the distressed faces of the players a reflection of the painfully hot conditions.
Most of Gunnedah’s players backed up after playing club cricket in Saturday’s furnace-like heat.
It is believed to be Gunnedah’s first win over Tamworth since 2011, although that is unconfirmed, and follows Tamworth’s away loss to Armidale the previous round that was reversed because the home side fielded ineligible players.
Ahead of Sunday’s match, Groth said he believed that Tamworth had lost only twice in about a decade.
He believes that Sunday’s loss has cost Tamworth a spot in the War Veterans Cup final, although that is also unconfirmed. He cannot remember the last time Tamworth failed to win the Cup.
Brad Gander top-scored for Gunnedah with 56 not out, followed by Swain (31). In such oppressive heat and after faltering early to be 4-29, Gunnedah did well to reach 185.
Joey Mead and Scott Brennan both bagged a brace of wickets for Tamworth to finished with 2-18 from 10 overs and 2-41 from eight overs. Tamworth used five other bowlers and they each snared a wicket.
Jenkinson – ribbed in club cricket on Saturday for his 41-over wicket drought playing for Albion – said: “Good feeling, good feeling. You don’t often beat Tamworth, so real happy to get the win.”
He added: “I was pretty fired up … just trying to get the win. It’s really good for Gunnedah to get a win over Tamworth, so any time you do it you’ve got to cherish it.”
Swain praised his players for “digging deep”. He hopes the win signifies a turning point in Gunnedah performances against Tamworth.
“We’ve got a good side at the moment and hopefully it’s one that we can keep … Just stoked to get the win. It’s a rare thing to get a win over a quality side like that, for sure.”
Groth said Tamworth let Gunnedah “off the hook” after having them in trouble early.
