Take Narrabri opener Nick Smart out of the equation and Gunnedah would be defending their War Veteran Cup final this weekend and not left considering what could have been.
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So says Gunnedah captain Mitchell Swain, after the side's 25-run loss to Narrabri in a final-round clash in Narrabri on Sunday.
Smart top-scored (50) for Narrabri after the hosts won the toss and batted, posting 178.
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Gunnedah duo Troy Sands (3-23) and Sam Doubleday (3-33) were the pick of the bowlers for Gunnedah, who were dismissed for 153. Teenage No 3 Adam McGuirk top-scored (81).
Swain said: "You take Nick Smart out of that side and things probably go a little differently. But the same could be said for Adam McGuirk.
"We thought we had a better side than them, but they were just too good on the day.
"You've just got to give credit where credit is due. And, obviously, best of luck to Tamworth and Narrabri next week."
Swain said Gunnedah produced a competent performance, but "probably could've done everything a little bit better".
"We bowled well in patches, probably gave them a few too many free runs. Lots of sundries in there as well, which was disappointing with the bowling," he said.
He added: "Obviously our batting was pretty disappointing, barring Adam McGuirk. He batted extremely well, probably couldn't have batted any better under the [very hot] conditions and the circumstances.
"And, you know, a couple of things go our way and we get home and we win that game. But I can't be too disappointed."
Gunnedah ended a long drought when they beat Narrabri in the War Veterans Cup final at Wolseley Oval last season.
Swain said the outcome of Sunday's final would hinge on "who wants to show up for Tamworth".
Tamworth took a strong side to Inverell on the weekend and duly thumped the hosts by 145 runs.
