'Club-first attitude' sees North Tamworth claim twin titles

The club's Second Grade and Fourth Grade sides were both named winners of their respective divisions having qualified through to the grand finals first, after rain washed out all games on the weekend.

However, the Redbacks' Fourth Grade team managed to play just over half of their match, and looked well-poised before it was called off.

"We did have a good, consistent season, which was great," North Tamworth Fourth Grade captain, Jared Doyle, said.

"Particularly when you've got a high percentage of younger players in the team. We were certainly happy with the level we played at during the season, and we were very keen to play the final because it's always better to finish the season rather than have a washout determine it.

"We were glad that we got some play, and it would've been nice to finish it, but at least we got on the park."

During the Redbacks' rout of their opponents, Old Boys, for just 88 after losing the toss and being asked to field first, Doyle was particularly pleased with the performance of his two opening bowlers, Jock Smith and Steve Newman.

The pair took four wickets between them for a combined total of just 17 runs, and have produced similarly strong spells all season.

"Old Boys has a strong batting lineup, and ... we knew we had to bowl well," Doyle said.

"I've been playing for a few years now, and the opening bowling combination from our guys was probably the highest-quality opening bowling I've seen in Fourth Grade."

North Tamworth had scored just ten runs without the loss of a wicket in the second innings when the match was abandoned.

Regardless of the result, Doyle said the Redbacks' titles in the Second and Fourth Grade reflected their "club-first attitude".

"Whichever grade someone plays in, they play to the best of their ability and contribute whether it be with an individual performance or something that they can do for a teammate or the team," he said.

"That's something we work hard on as a club, and the higher grades are very supportive of the younger players and lower-grade players in trying to build up their skills and confidence."

As a young team, Doyle was also pleased that many of the side's less experienced players were able to contribute, both with the ball and in the field, during the biggest game of the year.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: