Tatts Cricket Club’s first and second grade sides score round one wins

Tatts Cricket Club went into the first round of the 2020-21 Narrabri District Cricket Association campaign on Saturday with two understrength sides, with a combined 16 first and second grade regulars unavailable for their respective matches.

However, it was a day of celebration for the club as it became the first to score a first and second grade double this season.

Ryan O’Neill scored his first victory as the club’s first grade captain in style as his team crushed Civeo at Collins Park.

In its first match since winning a third-straight first grade one day premiership back on Saturday, March 14, Tatts never looked like losing.

Civeo batted first and were knocked over for just 92 runs in 36.2 overs, before Tatts chased that down in 28.3 for the loss of just three wickets.

Brock Schwager (5-12 from eight overs) dominated with the ball before the returning Jake Packer opened the batting and took control of his side’s chase with an unbeaten 31 in the seven-wicket win.

In second grade, Tatts went head-to-head with RSL in a grand final rematch and scored a convincing victory.

Both teams were missing several key players in that match but it was Tatts which rose to the occasion.

Tatts batted first and finished its 40 overs on 4-188, inspired by Rod Kirk (80*) and skipper Bill Wood (70).

It then knocked over RSL for 88 in 25.4 overs to win by 100 runs.

First grade skipper O’Neill told The Courier that he was extremely happy with his first grade side’s performance and the club’s resilience on a day when many players were unavailable.

“I couldn’t be more pleased,” he said.

“The boys played well in every aspect. We took all our catches and everyone bowled well and everyone batted well.

“We were a bit short this week so we had a bit of a mix-match team but as soon as we started fielding it all came together pretty quick.

“Across the club we had something like 16 players out that I would say are all pretty regular players, so to still come away with two wins was pretty impressive I reckon.”