After a representative season that reached new heights, Cessnock’s representative cricket side was unluckily beaten by Tamworth Old Boys in Coal Board Cup at Scone on Sunday.
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Cessnock again faced an uphill battle after losing another toss and were forced to field in 35-degrees-plus heat and on a Scone belter.
After some interesting early bowling found Tamworth at 0-40 off five long overs, it was left to Bellbird’s favourite son, Matt Tomlinson, to take the crucial wicket of Simon Norvill and get Cessnock’s ball rolling.
Tamworth was 3-69 at drinks after 16.2 overs with Cessnock on top. Adam Lole and Aaron Hazlewood then put on 83 for the fifth wicket to again take control of the match for Tamworth.
Colts captain Michael Ho took the big scalp of Hazlewood and was impressive in taking 2-64 off his 10 overs.
After some late hitting, Tamworth scrambled to all out 231. Tomlinson was the pick of the bowlers taking 3-38 off 10. Mulbring’s Greg Sheehan was again tidy with 2-32 off his 10 quality overs.
Playing in his 99th representative game for Cessnock, Nathan Stapleford was the other bowler to claim two scalps.
Cessnock seemed in control in the run chase with Sheehan and Ho at the crease at 5-155, but with storms quickly approaching and some quality spin bowling they were eventually dismissed in the 48th over – 15 runs short of their target.
Jason Orr (36) top scored for Cessnock, but with five batsmen Ho (27), Sheehan (35), Greg Andrews (24) and Barry Richards (24) all getting starts it was a disappointing result for the ‘home’ side.
Tamworth Old Boys captain Ben Middlebrook was named man of the match for his 5-38.
