A combination of youth and experience proved the difference as Armidale scored an opening, six-wicket Connolly Cup win over Walcha on Sunday.
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The experienced Walcha team stepped up to the crease first and set about setting a tough target on a difficult and slow Sportsground outfield.
After struggling to get 11 players for the game, Armidale battled early with just nine players fronting up at the start of the match.
A 10th showed up a few overs in before it was midway through Walcha's innings that Armidale had a full side.
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Walcha batsman Jay Grills earned a match-high 61 in Walcha's total of 163 and hit one of the two fours in their innings while Armidale's opening bowler John Elliot finished with 3-29 from 10 overs.
With the bat, Armidale captain Will Green opted to give the responsibility of an opening partnership to two teenagers in Ryan Simpson and Henry Starr, the latter in his first senior representative match.
They didn't disappoint, Simpson belting 50 including a flurry of fours and a six in his stand.
Starr batted out a comfortable 25 before he departed.
Moran, along with Armidale newcomer Anton Peenz, chased down the runs with the veteran putting on a show with multiple sixes and a reverse sweep boundary to finish on 30 not out.
Of the win, Green said "it was a good all-round effort" and highlighted the enthusiasm in the field.
"We bowled well and that set us up," he said.
"There were a couple of guys that we didn't really know what they were about and they stepped up, I am pretty happy with that.
"The young fellas, the top four set it all up for us, particularly Ryan and Henry - opening with a 90-run partnership will hurt most teams."
Armidale will play Moree, who defeated Gwydir in the opening round, in their next match on November 15.