SEVEN of Gunnedah’s best under-14 cricketers are strutting their stuff at the Tamworth Junior Cricket Carnival this week.
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Representing both an invitational side and a Tamworth team, the youngsters are playing sides from around the region and interstate.
The invitational side, which includes six of the seven players, began their campaign in rocky fashion with a heavy loss at the hands of Gold Coast on Monday.
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Batting first, the Invitational side could only muster a total of 70, with Will Aitken (11) and Carter McIlveen (15 not out) the only two batsmen to reach double figures.
In reply, the Gold Coast side lost just three wickets on its way to an emphatic win.
Co-coach Andrew Johns said the players would “take a lot from the first game” including a meeting with former Australian test bowler Craig McDermott who was along to see his son Zack play for Gold Coast.
“It was a real buzz for the guys to get to meet Craig,” Johns said.
“I think a few of the parents were more excited given he’s a bit more from our vintage, but when the boys learned his son Ben plays in the Big Bash League they became pretty excited as well.
“He also presented all the players with their caps at the start of play, which was really exciting as well.”
The Invitational side will now look to bounce back when it takes on Tamworth in its second game on Tuesday.
“There will be a little bit of a rivalry going on there as Gunnedah’s Claire McGuirk will be playing for Tamworth,” Johns said.
“It should be great because all of the local kids in the Invitational team know her, respect her and will be really keen to have a good game.”
McGuirk also played for West Pennant Hills at the Walter Taylor Shield last week.
