City United ended last season feeling a strange sensation – pride in achievement.
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Just making the finals after years of struggle meant a lot to the team.
This season they aim to build on that momentum.
And after keeping their 2017-18 side largely intact, while adding to it, City appears to be operating with elevated confidence.
It’s a swagger embodied by young quick Tait Jordan, who worked his way through the grades at the club before finding a home in first grade five seasons ago.
In the side’s nine-wicket hammering of North Tamworth at Riverside 1 on Saturday, the 22-year-old led the way with 3-25 off six overs including removing three of the top four batsmen.
“Something’s in the air,” Jordan said.
“It’s just the vibe around the club at the moment.
“Last year we lost a lot of close games and had to come home strong.
“Now it’s good to get a win on the board early and get rolling.”
After winning the toss and batting, North Tamworth were routed for 84 in the 29th over, with Jai Tasker (21) top-scoring.
Three City bowlers snared two wickets each – Joey Mead (2-10 off six overs), Jack McVey (2-13 off 7.2 overs) and Scott Brennan (2-21 off six overs).
City passed Norths’ total in the 26th over.
Brennan (42) and Troy Hearfield (34) were unbeaten.
Jordan said: “We set key targets today [Saturday] to get key players out early … and try and keep them under 140 – and we did that convincingly by rolling them for 84.”