Central North went into this year’s Country Championship buoyed by the strength their side and determined to finally capture the title.
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And on day one of the championships, at McCosker Oval in Inverell on Friday, Central North delivered on that promise with a 16-run defeat of Central Coast.
Put into bat, Central North finished on 8-222 off 50 overs, with Michael Rixon (59), Tom Fitzgerald (37), Lachie Cameron (37) and Isaac Barry (36) the key contributors.
Central Coast were dismissed for 206 in the 49th over.
Moree teenager Jack Montgomery and Armidale teen Jackson Gwynne, playing their first Country Championships, did most of the damage with the ball – taking 3-33 off nines overs and 3-38 off 10 overs, respectively.
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South Tamworth quick Tom O’Neill snared 2-45 off 9.3 overs.
Central North captain Tom Groth said it had been several seasons since the side had won at match at the championship and even longer since they had won a first-round clash.
He said: “We did really well – obviously set up by a couple of good bowling performances. [We] hit 222, which we thought was a pretty good score on that wicket. It was a bit of an indifferent wicket.”
He added: “We’re really happy at the moment. Everything’s going to plan so far.
“Full credit to the young guys too. Jackson Gwynne and Jack Montgomery and Isaac Barry – they all stepped up today.”
Central North play North Coast at Varley Oval on Saturday, before concluding the championships against Western at Varley Oval on Sunday.
