Local talent Tom Coady made an impact on the Cricket NSW State Challenge on Tuesday as the Country Thunder Tornado under-13s kept alive their title hopes.
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Coady made a brilliant 80 not out from 58 balls in his side’s opening Twenty20 clash at lady Cutler 4 but that wasn’t enough to stop his team from being beaten by the Country Sixers Riptide.
However, after that 20-run defeat the side got back on track in the afternoon’s second Twenty20 fixture.
CYMS junior Coady was his side’s second top-scorer as the Tornado scored a thrilling four-run win over the Metro Thunder Cyclones.
In the day’s opening match, the Torando under-13s came up against a genuine talent in Riptide opener Coby Tabor.
The opening bat from the North Coast blasted 84 from 58, piercing gaps at will, as the Riptide posted 8-165 from its 20 overs.
Riverina-based Fergus Cattanach was the Tornado’s best with 1/13 from 2.4 overs.
While quick runs were needed in the chase, it was easier said than done as the Tornado were 2-37 after 7.5 overs.
But once Coady, batting from first drop, got settled he began to open up and get his side back in the game.
Hitting three boundaries from one Matt Holmes over was a highlight and once he passed 50 he kept on going.
He found steady support from Tornado captain Harry Bayliss (28 not out from 32) but despite the pair batting the overs they fell 20 short.
The second match was far more tense but ended in joy for the Tornado, holding off the Metro Thunder Cyclones by just four runs.
Batting first, the Tornado posted just 95.
Euriah Holland top-scored with 19 from 26 while Coady (16 from 17) also chipped in. Patty Nelson, Dubbo’s only other representative at the tournament, made 4 opening the batting.
Sam Mustow was outstanding with the new ball for Cyclones, claiming 2/7 form his four overs.
When the Cyclones added 32 for the first wicket in reply it seemed they were destined for victory. But the Torando fought back brilliantly to restrict their opponents to just 6-91 from the 20 overs.
Sam Austin (2/9) and Cattanach (2/9) were standouts.
In the under-14s, the Trevor Thomas-coached Country Thunder Tornado got its campaign up and running with a win over Country Sixers Swell.
The Tornado bowled out the Swell for 117 before chasing down the target for the loss of just four wickets.
Orange’s Phoebe Litchfield top-scored with 30 in the win.
A highlight of the tournament came at at Wellington’s Pioneer Park where Yianni Theodorakopoulos made a century for the Metro Sixers Dunes, finishing with 106 against the Metro Thunder Lightning.