Callum Henry shines with the bat as City United take control in knockout final

The 19-year-old - a product of the conveyer belt that has produced Tamworth cricket talent for eons - had just finished an innings in which he showcased the end result of that time-tested process.

His patient 74 not out propelled City United to 7-241 on day one of their knockout final against Bective East at an oppressively hot No 1 Oval. A grand final showdown against North Tamworth awaits the winner of this season's sole semi-final.

Henry's innings - devoid of a boundary and inclusive of 39 runs in singles - was befitting of someone who was gritty enough to pursue a career on the land despite his city upbringing. The Carinya Christian School alumnus works on a cattle and crop property at Spring Ridge.

"So tractor-diving, cattle work - all the fun stuff," he said, adding: "I grew up wanting to do it. So, as soon as I finished school, I got into it - and I haven't looked back since."

"I'd prefer to be doing that than be in the city, which was another thing I was gonna do: give Sydney cricket a crack," he also said, adding that "a few" Sydney clubs had desired his signature.

Instead, he stayed in the region and chased his farm dream. "Which I don't regret at all," he said.

Henry's innings on Saturday was his best of the first-grade season, which he started late after breaking his arm in a State Challenge cricket trial in Coffs Harbour. He collided with a teammate in the field.

His previous highest score was 27. Because of his job, he does not get to many training sessions.

"[That is] probably why I haven't scored too many runs," he said, adding that he "made it a couple of times" to training last week.

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Henry said his innings on Saturday was "a bit of a grind" for a while.

"It's been a long season; I haven't scored a run all year," he said. "So it's good to get some in the semi."

"To bat 90 overs in the Tamworth first-grade comp is pretty good," he said of City's effort on Saturday. "And to score 240 in the first innings makes it pretty hard for them [Bective]."

Opener Aaron Baker (57) and No 5 Tom Fitzgerald (43) were City's other major contributors.

Nick Hird (2-37 off 17 overs) and Jye Paterson (2-40 off 18 overs) were the Bulls' most effective bowlers.

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