Pennants trial played ahead of the 2020 season

The 2020 Zone Three Pennants season will begin on Saturday, February 29, and Narrabri Shire clubs Narrabri Sporties and Wee Waa Bowling Club have begun preparations.

The two clubs managed to avoid the weekend’s rain and play a trial match at the Narrabri Sporties on Sunday morning which continued into the afternoon.

While Wee Waa was not at full strength with five top players unavailable to travel, all teams played well on the day.

This year Narrabri Sporties will compete in Grade Three and Grade Six Pennants, and Wee Waa will play in Grade Four.

Narrabri’s Grade Three team will play in section one alongside Gunnedah and Inverell Sporties.

Narrabri has a bye when the season begins on February 29, then travels to Gunnedah to play in the second round on Sunday, March 1.

Narrabri’s first home game will be played on Saturday, March 7, which will be contested at the Narrabri Sporties against Inverell.

Section two of Grade Three includes North Tamworth, South Tamworth and West Tamworth.

The winners of the two sections will play against one another at a neutral venue on Saturday, April 4, for the chance to advance to state level.

Narrabri’s Grade Six team is one of 12 teams across three sections in that division.

Narrabri will compete in section two alongside Collarenabri, Moree and Gunnedah.

Narrabri’s first two games will be played at home, on Saturday, February 29 and Sunday, March 1, against Collarenabri and Gunnedah respectively.

Narrabri will then host Moree on Saturday, March 7, before playing its final three matches on the road.

The four Grade Six section one teams are Armidale City, Armidale Ex-Services, Uralla and Inverell Sporties, and the four section three teams are Qurindi, South Tamworth, Tamworth City and West Tamworth.

The winners of those three sections will advance to a round robin which will be played at a neutral venue where one team will advance to state level.

Wee Waa’s Grade Four team will line up in section two alongside Kootingal, Manilla and South Tamworth.

Wee Waa will play its first game away from home at South Tamworth on February 29, before playing its first home game the next day against Manilla.

Section one of Grade Four includes Armidale Ex-Services, Guyra, Inverell RSM and Moree.

The winners of the respective sections will play against one another at a neutral venue on Saturday, April 4, for the chance to advance to state level.