NDJCA under-13s representative side finally plays a George Denton Shield match at home

The Narrabri District Junior Cricket Association under-13s rep side played a home game for the first time this season in the sixth round of Central North Cricket’s George Denton Shield campaign on Sunday when it hosted Tamworth Gold at Cooma Oval.

The Narrabri boys went down on the day but were happy to finally play a home fixture after travelling for five consecutive away games to start the 2021-22 season.

The visitors won the match in style by a total of 72 runs after they won the toss and elected to bat first.

First drop batsman Max Judd guided his side to an uncatchable 151 with a game-best score of 76 before he was finally run out by Narrabri’s Charlie Haire in the 32nd over after arriving at the crease in the seventh.

Narrabri’s Gabe O’Connor took the final wicket of the innings in the 37th over to finish with an economical 1-12 from six overs. His opening bowling partner was Lachlan Mason who was even more economical with an impressive 1-7 from seven overs, while Will Clarke (2-28 from seven overs) was the side’s only multiple wicket-taker.

Jakson Dowdell (1-21 from three overs) and George Barton (1-35 from five overs) also claimed a wicket each.

The home side was in trouble early in its run chase when it lost its third wicket after scoring just 14 runs.

The score later became 5-37 before middle order duo Lachlan Mason and Gus Ford combined for a team-best partnership of 31 runs. Gus eventually departed for seven before Lachlan was dismissed for a team-best 12.

Narrabri lost its final wicket of the game in the 32nd over as it fell 73 runs short of victory.

The NDJCA’s next George Denton Shield match is not scheduled until next year, when it returns to Cooma Oval to host Gunnedah on Sunday, February 6.

There was no Col Dent Shield action scheduled for last weekend which meant that NDJCA’s under-17s team had another weekend off after its round four match late last month was washed out and declared a draw.

The Narrabri side will take the field for its fifth round game this weekend when it travels to Gunnedah on Sunday to challenge Namoi.

The NDJCA’s under-11s side is also scheduled to play this weekend, in a home fixture against Armidale in the fifth round of the Josh Hazlewood Shield competition.