Cameron proud of his undefeated champions

“It’s unbelievable,” said Narrabri District Cricket Association first XI skipper Lachlan Cameron on Sunday afternoon just after Nathan Trindall took the game-winning catch on the long on boundary which saw the side become War Veterans Cup champions for the second time in three seasons.

“There’s always those memories of going seasons and seasons without a win but they are getting further and further into the distant memory,” Cameron added.

“This is just great to be part of, we have a good bunch of guys and we work hard for each other.

“I’m really proud of them all.”

The Pink Slugs took on Tamworth in the 2019-20 Northern Inland Cricket Council War Vets Cup grand final at Collins Park and the undefeated table-toppers

Narrabri made it a sweet double with a 48-run victory.

Narrabri batted first after skipper Cameron won the toss, and the home side made 7-167 from its 50 overs.

Narrabri’s opening batsman and the War Vets Cup grand final player-of-the-match Nick Smart top scored for the hosts with 70 from 112 balls, and teammates Justin Knight (22), Chris Sargent (18*), Nick Tomlinson (15) and Shane Murphy (10*) also made handy contributions.

The Pink Slugs’ defence began in the best way possible when Jay Hall removed Tamworth gun Simon Norvill (7) in the sixth over to make the score 1-7.

The visiting side’s captain Jye Paterson top scored with 56, but his only teammate to reach double figures was Shaun Stevenson (26) as Tamworth stumbled to 119 runs before Narrabri’s Jake Brayshaw took the final wicket of the game in the 43rd over to secure the victory.

Sargent was Narrabri’s best with the ball with incredible figures of 4-19 off 10 overs, while Hall (2-23 off 10 overs), Brayshaw (2-6 off 2.5 overs), Nathan Trindall (1-15 off 8.3 overs) and Smart (1-28 off 4.3 overs) were the other wicket takers.

Pink Slugs skipper Cameron took the wicketkeeper gloves in the absence of Steve Phelps due to sickness and had a magnificent day behind the stumps, whipping off the bails for three successful stumpings.

NDCA first XI - back, Nick Tomlinson, Nathan Trindall, Shane Murphy, Luke Meppem, Jade Lees, Nick Smart, front, Cooper Brayshaw, Justin Knight, vice-captain Chris Sargent, captain Lachlan Cameron, Jake Brayshaw and Jay Hall. NDCA first XI - back, Nick Tomlinson, Nathan Trindall, Shane Murphy, Luke Meppem, Jade Lees, Nick Smart, front, Cooper Brayshaw, Justin Knight, vice-captain Chris Sargent, captain Lachlan Cameron, Jake Brayshaw and Jay Hall.

Pink Slugs fan Matt Conroy setting up his supporter banner. Pink Slugs fan Matt Conroy setting up his supporter banner.

Narrabri captain Lachlan Cameron with the War Vets Cup trophy. Narrabri captain Lachlan Cameron with the War Vets Cup trophy.

Nick Smart raises the bat to celebrate reaching 50. Nick Smart raises the bat to celebrate reaching 50.

Nathan Trindall celebrates after taking the catch for the final wicket. Nathan Trindall celebrates after taking the catch for the final wicket.

Chris Sargent finished with 4-19 from 10 overs. Chris Sargent finished with 4-19 from 10 overs.

Man-of-the-match Nick Smart, pictured with the War Vets Cup trophy, scored a game-high 70 runs and took a wicket in a best on ground performance. Man-of-the-match Nick Smart, pictured with the War Vets Cup trophy, scored a game-high 70 runs and took a wicket in a best on ground performance.

Jake Brayshaw tosses one up. Jake Brayshaw tosses one up.

Jay Hall took two crucial wickets as he dismissed both of Tamworth’s openers. Jay Hall took two crucial wickets as he dismissed both of Tamworth’s openers.

Vice-captain Chris Sargent and captain Lachlan Cameron with the War Vets Cup trophy. Vice-captain Chris Sargent and captain Lachlan Cameron with the War Vets Cup trophy.

Pink Slugs’ opening bowler Nathan Trindall fires one down the pitch. Pink Slugs’ opening bowler Nathan Trindall fires one down the pitch.

Justin Knight plays a defensive shot on his way to a late 22 from 19 deliveries. Justin Knight plays a defensive shot on his way to a late 22 from 19 deliveries.

Cooper Brayshaw takes off for a quick single. Cooper Brayshaw takes off for a quick single.

Narrabri skipper Lachlan Cameron celebrates one of his three stumpings. Narrabri skipper Lachlan Cameron celebrates one of his three stumpings.

Nick Tomlinson in action during a 46-run opening partnership with Nick Smart. Nick Tomlinson in action during a 46-run opening partnership with Nick Smart.

Cameron was thrilled with his team’s performance and said that the result was one that they well and truly deserved.

He told The Courier that he had his sights set on a target of at least 180, but that he was confident of defending the target the hosts eventually set.
“I thought 180 would have been a good target but it was tough going out there and finals are always a different game,” Cameron said.

“I was confident with what we had, we had the runs on the board and they had to get them and it turned out to be enough.”

He said that there was no real turning point during the side’s fielding innings, and that he was always confident of winning the game during Tamworth’s innings.

“It ebbed and flowed the whole time, but I always thought we were just in front” he said.

“I was always fairly confident.

“There were big moments the whole way, when we got (Simon) Norvill early that was really big for us.

“That first 10 overs they were scoring at two an over but then within the space of four overs they were over three an over.

“We pulled them back in again, then they started getting on top but then we got another big wicket getting Shaun Stevenson and it went on from there.”

Cameron said he was impressed with every Narrabri player on the day but praised Hall for standing up with the ball in the absence of regular opening bowlers Dylan Smith and Ryan O’Neill.

“Dougie (Hall) was incredible, he was just unreal,” Cameron said.

“He bowled to his field, it’s a captain’s dream when you can set a field and a guy bowls to it.

“He got some big wickets for us.”