LITTLE could separate Gunnedah and Moree in their opening-round clash of the Connolly Cup on Sunday.
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Looking to recapture their 2017-2018 success, Gunnedah set about building an imposing first innings total.
Oscar King (39) helped get the home side off to a good start, but regular wickets meant Gunnedah could not fully take control.
After being 0-36 early in the innings, Gunnedah lost 10-98 to eventually be dismissed for 134.
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Brodie Cleal was the only shining light in the home side's lower order, scoring 23.
In reply, Moree got off to a flying start and headed into the drinks break in full control at 0-41.
However, tight bowling from experienced campaigners Vinnie Winsor (3-18) and Gary Briggs (1-21) helped spark a mini-collapse.
The spell caused Moree to lose 6-24 and put their innings in jeopardy.
Enter Kyle O'Connor (32), who helped steady the ship and get the visitors home with just one wicket remaining.
Gunnedah captain Blake Small said Sunday's lose "was one of the most disappointing" of his career.
"I guess it was just the little things that cost us momentum," Small told the Namoi Valley Independent.
"Some decisions didn't go our way, we lost wickets in clumps and that sort of stuff took away our momentum.
"In cricket, momentum is everything and to be honest, losing this game is about as disappointing as losing a grand final."
Moree captain Chris Holland said the efforts of O'Connor should not be underestimated.
"Kyle is one of the best athletes in our town and for him to step up for us like he did was fantastic," Holland said.
"Our middle order didn't really get going, so his efforts were really the difference in the end. It sort of leaves you with a thank God kind of feeling."
Moree's win was made even more impressive by the fact they were without key player Jack Montgomery due to representative duties.
"We were down a few key players, so this win could really help setup a platform for us," Holland said.
"Our batting will have to improve, if we want to have a tilt at this competition.
"I think we have the talent to do it, we will just have to work on our batting a bit more."
As for Gunnedah, Small said his side would focus on improving their fielding ahead of their next clash against Peel Valley on November 10.
"Our fielding did let us down a little bit late in the innings," he said.
"We dropped some easy chances, which really hurt us."
Despite the loss, Small said he was confident his side could "still go a long way" this summer.
"I'm still pretty confident we can go pretty deep in this competition," he said.
"We just have to put this loss behind us and move on."
In the round's other match, Narrabri defeated Quirindi.