THERE were six teams and perfect weather – and Chris Rowden watching every ball bowled and every wicket taken at Ron Harborne Oval on Saturday.
Rowdo’s 10s Day, the official launch of senior cricket in Moree, is a day to celebrate one the game’s greats – and not so much about who wins and who loses.
That’s not to say competition wasn’t fierce when Blue Belly Black Snakes, Pally Bulls, The Crows, Yarraman Yabbies, Moree Golfies and Moree Thunder padded up to play a few short-sharp matches in a 10-over, 10-a-side round robin-style competition.
Nine games were played across three ovals, which included a few rule twists to keep players on their mark, with Pally Bulls and Moree Thunder equal winners – based on points – for the second year in a row.
Moree and District Cricket Association president, Grady Sinclair, said both teams went through the round-robin undefeated.
“Players of the day were Shaun Mills for Pally Bulls and Harry Sra for the Thunder. Both players were the top run scorers for their teams, with Shaun even getting a 50 in one of the Bulls games – pretty good for a 10-over game,” Sinclair said.
Rowdo remembered
The sudden passing of former club president, Chris Rowden in December, 2023, shocked the entire Moree community.
Rowden was the prime mover behind the cricket club in Moree for many years. He worked hard to keep cricket in Moree a summer feature, and continually came up with new ideas and concepts.
The 10-over, 10-a-side format was introduced by Rowden in 2023.
After his passing, Rowdo’s 10s Day was introduced to remember the former club president.
Darrell Smith, whose team Moree Thunder shared top points on Saturday, hopes Rowdo’s 10s Day becomes a permanent fixture on the local cricket calendar.
“I remember Rowdo as a young fella when I first came to Moree. He was only a teenager then, and very keen, and down here at cricket all the time,” Smith said.
“There was a bit of rivalry between us – he got me out a fair few times in his career,” he smiled.
“I knew Rowdo outside sport as well. As he got older, Rowdo started getting more involved with the association to keep it running and keep cricket going, and was president for a couple of years.
“He was very passionate about it, and really enjoyed it, and enjoyed people being out and having fun.
“Rowdo’s passing was a great loss and having this sort of day in his honour shouldn’t be just one or two times, but an ongoing thing, for sure,” Smith said.
Rod Tighe, who padded up with Blue Belly Black Snakes on Saturday, said Chris Rowden was well-loved across the Moree community.
“Rowdo was a young man dedicated to his sport, especially cricket and golf,” Tighe said.
“These games are the first little hit-out for the year for a lot of Moree cricketers, and we’re all getting rid of the cobwebs in honour of Chris.
“Rowdo was part of the 20-20 format for cricket in Moree many moons ago. He was very passionate, and gave it all when he played. I played against him plenty of times,” he said.
Tighe’s side was made up of police staff, Aboriginal community liaison officers and work colleagues. “We’re called the Blue Belly Black Snakes – I’ve got no idea where that name came from,” Tighe laughed.
War Veterans T20 Cup
Meanwhile, Moree travelled to Narrabri for the first round of the Northern Inland Cricket Council War Veterans T20 Cup at Collins Park on Sunday.
“We played well, although just went down in both of our tightly contested T20 games,” club president Grady Sinclair said.
“There were good performances by everyone, and congratulations to Josh Rigby and Rayma Honour for making their debuts for Moree’s senior rep team.
“Both boys are still at school, and they bowled very well against Narrabri’s solid top order.
“Josh scored a few runs against Inverell and Rayma scored a few against Narrabri. It’s good to have a few young blokes keen again – that’s what we’ve been lacking around the place.
“The talent is there and we just need blokes who are keen. Tom Vanderstok, Harry Sra, who was also on debut, and Jeff Annis-Brown were good with the bat all day,” Sinclair said.
Moree’s next games in the War Veterans T20 Cup are against Gunnedah and Bective East Bulls on December 7, with the MA Connolly Cup against Armidale starting in Moree on November 2.
