The biggest hitters from Maitland will put their batting skills to the test on Sunday with the return of the annual Hunter Valley Cup Twenty20 competition.
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The Hunter Valley Cup features teams from Maitland and Singleton first grade competitions and the powerful Port Stephens outfit from the Maitland A-grade one-day competition.
Reigning premiers Kurri Weston have drawn a tough pool in their cup title defence..
The Warriors, who defeated Thornton by just three runs in last year’s Twenty20 series final, face Raymond Terrace, Port Stephens and Western Suburbs 2nd XI in their pool.
Raymond Terrace has been the form team of the Maitland first grade season to date and will be further strengthened by the inclusion of paceman Cameron Bates who was an integral part of Kurri Weston’s success last year.
Port Stephens have been the undisputed masters of the one-day competition and with the Moxey brothers Josh and Jarrod and Josh Dall all in great form with the bat they can quickly rattle up big totals.
Josh Moxey has already notched two centuries and a 63 in rapid time in his three innings to date this year.
Western Suburbs are fielding two teams again this season. Competition is always hot for a spot in the first grade team and you can expect plenty of players on the fringe to be pushing for higher selection.
Watching first grade No.3 Aaron Mahony in action in the short-form of the games is a treat in itself.
The cup series proved a turning point in Thornton’s first grade season last year and they will need to be at their best in a pool against City United and Eastern Suburbs.
Easts can call on the Parks brothers Jayden and Trent, Lucas Sargent and teenage star Matt Lynch to boost the run rate.
City have plenty of batting power, but it could be spinners Nick Bower and Michael Heinrich who prove their trump card.
In the final pool Singleton club Valleys has draw Maitland power clubs Northern and Western Suburbs.
Norths have built a remarkable period of success on producing outstanding all-rounders and no matter the state of play they have the resources to turn a game in a matter of overs.
Opening batsman and bowler Lincoln Mills is coming off the back of a devastating ton against Wests and they have more quality bowling options than any other team.
POOL 1: Kurri Weston, Raymond Terrace, Port Stephens, Western Suburbs (2)
POOL 2: Thornton, City United, Eastern Suburbs.
POOL 3: Northern Suburbs, Western Suburbs, Valleys.
- Match schedules page 25