Some of the district's best will combine for an East meets West exhibition match to celebrate 100 years of Grinsted Cup challenge cricket this Sunday.
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Western will be captained by Forbes' own Mitch Bayley, who's looking forward to an excellent contest to celebrate the milestone of the historic district competition.
"We've got a bit of experience on our side," he said, as he looked at the squad representing Parkes, Forbes, Trundle, Condobolin and West Wyalong.
He'll be looking to Condo's Andrew Brasnet and Parkes' Peter Yelland to open the batting, and there's plenty of talent to follow.
"We've got a lot of all-rounders," he added, mentioning Jarrod Nicholson and Sam Dargan.
"Adam Hall is about 180 not out from the last Saturday games."
And he's not sorry to have some of Parkes' powerhouse players on side after being on the receiving end of their fast bowlers.
"I'll can happily watch Phil Dunford bowl 25 overs from one end," Bayley said.
Mark Simmonds who claimed 7/45 for Forbes before Christmas will also be one to watch.
Cowra's Scott Gray leads the Western side, he's a Grinsted Cup veteran but was still familiarising himself with his side at time of preparation for print. Gray reflected on the competition's glory days, and some of the players who have gone on from Grinsted Cup to higher levels of representative cricket.
Daniel Hughes, Nick Berry, Mick Curtale, Matt Crawley are just a few: the list goes on in addition to those already highlighted in historic features in recent editions.
"The amount of talent there each week, it was really enjoyable and it improved everyone's game," Gray said.
"You wanted to play every week. Once you held that Cup you just wanted to keep fighting for it, and all the players got involved as well."
East meets West at 10am Sunday, February 9, at Forbes' Lake-side cricket grounds (either Grinsted or South Circle pending conditions).
While the historic Cup itself isn't up for grabs, they'll be playing to win.
"I think it's so good to have all the towns in this," Bayley said. "I don't think it's been done before."
Both captains are keen for a contest whatever the weather might hold for the weekend. They do have their eyes on the skies with the forecast of rain. Celebrations begin with a reunion dinner on Saturday night, with special guests Australian test veteran Rodney Hogg, rugby league representative Chris Anderson and Australian umpire Simon Taufel.
Western: Forbes' Mitch Bayley (captain), Mark Simmonds, Jarrod Nicholson; Parkes' Phil Dunford, Paul Dunford and Peter Yelland; Condobolin's Sam Dargan and Andrew Brasnet; Trundle's Adam Hall and Stu Robbins; West Wyalong's Josh Roscarroll and Tom Roscarroll.
Eastern: Cowra's Scott Gray (captain), Brendan Traves, Tom Thaux, Harrison Starr; Grenfell's Zac Starr, Hamish Starr, Charlie Mitton, Henry Mitton; Molong's Greg Pringle, Will Oldham, James Millner, Tim Millner.
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