The Hunter Valley Hitmen’s super over loss to Newcastle Blasters in the inaugural T20 Regional Bash has stung Matt Trappel for 12 months.
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To say the Hitmen’s captain is excited about the chance for redemption and to progress to the finals series at the Sydney Cricket Ground is an understatement.
“Two games to playing on the SCG,” has become Trappel and his teammates mantra and they expect another huge crowd at Robins Oval on Sunday to see them put it in action.
The crowd at Robins last year was two or three deep all the way around the oval.
“It was such a terrific experience to play in front of such a big crowd in Maitland,” he said.
“Then to choke when we were cruising to victory is something we want to right this time around.
“We choked, we needed 24 off 24 balls with six wickets in hand and we should have done it easy.
“We’ve got rep teams, but this new regional big bash is pretty much the biggest thing we get to be involved in with as Maitland cricketers now.”
Maitland will have a strong line-up with Trappel’s brother Josh, who plays in the Newcastle competition, and Cameron Eccles, who was one of the leading run scorers in Sydney first grade last year, filling two of the three marquee players.
Maitland juniors Jayden Park and Pat Magann are also on the marquee list.
“Jayden Park has pulled out and Pat Magann is 50-50 at the moment,” Trappel said.
“Cameron Eccles will be great for us at the top of the order.
“Obviously we’ve got Michael Rees and Aaron Mahoney who were the standouts in last year’s grand final. They’ll be in the line-up and KIrk Mullard will be at the top.”
If the Hunters win they will play the winner of Illawarra and Central Coast in the knockout format.
The action at Robins Park starts from 10am with an array of activities including junior representative Twenty20 matches. The main game is at 2pm. Entry is free.
HITMEN SQUAD: Aaron Mahoney, Brent Watson, Cael Smith, Greg Sheehan, Jacob Carey, Jaymes Thomas, Josh Trappel, Kirk Mullard, Lincoln Mills, Lucas Sargent, Luke Merchant, Maisy Gibson, Matthew Trappel (C), Michael Rees, Mitchell Fisher, Nick Bower, Pat Magann, Riley Ayre, Tim Field, Cameron Eccles.