Like father, like son: City united for common cause
TONIGHT’S Tamworth fourth grade one-day final will be a real family affair for City United.
City United fourth grade’s fathers and sons. (Back from left) Kevin Attard, Russell Pitt, Andrew Rodgers, Peter Mead, Peter Holmes, Les Wallace. (Front from left) Joshua Attard, Noah Pitt, Liam Rodgers, Joey Mead, Matthew Holmes, James Wallace and, sitting, Oscar Spinks. Photo: Gareth Gardner 250216GGG01
All bar one of the side is a father and son.
They’ve got six father-son pairings – captain Peter Mead and son Joey, Russell and Noah Pitt, Kevin and Josh Attard, Peter and Matthew Holmes, Andrew and Liam Rodgers and Les and James Wallace.
Oscar Spinks rounds out the side, which will take on Old Boys for the silverware.
Mead described it as a “once in a lifetime” opportunity and said regardless of what happens tonight they’ll be savouring it – well the dads will anyway.
He dropped down to fourth grade this year so he could play with Joey.
“It’s a special experience. Probably first and last for some of us,” he said.
“Some of the kids may move up next year.”
So might some of the fathers.
A couple of them have made comebacks this season to have the opportunity to play with their sons.
In some cases the juniors are outshining their dads, not that they mind.
“We want to go home at the end of the day with the kids having had the most opportunities they can,” Mead said.
The mix seems to be working too, with City currently leading the fourth grade overall standings, albeit by less than a point from Old Boys.
The two look set to be combatants again in the major semi-final, with North Tamworth in third another 11 points back.
Mead said they would be looking to use tonight as a springboard for the finals.
They’ve first got to finish off Bective East. They go into the second day in a strong position, thanks in large part to another century from Noah Pitt.
“From all reports it was magnificent,” Mead said.
He didn’t actually get to see it, being called in for fielding service for first grade, but heard that he only gave one chance and that was after he got to 100.
Pitt senior didn’t do too badly either.
He hit 40-odd and has, with Noah, formed a handy opening partnership for them.
Mead said in all his time in cricket he’s not heard of six fathers and sons playing in the same side, and felt the club deserved some of the credit.
“City rates their juniors highly,” he said.
“This is a showcase of that.”
The final will be played at No.1 Oval starting at 5pm.
