Wodonga will host State of Origin cricket-style on Sunday.
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Rugby league’s showpiece carried the motto, ‘mate against mate, state against state’ and the association’s leading wicket-taker David Tassell will face team-mates when he represents Temora in O’Farrell Cup.
“I’ve been going back for probably the last six years,” Tassell said.
“Even when I was playing in the Wagga comp, I still went back and played for Temora.
“Other rep teams I’ve played for Cricket Albury-Wodonga, but in Temora there was so much emphasis placed on O’Farrell Cup.”
The speedster’s comment will delight Riverina officials after the 94-year-old competition suffered two recent forfeits from Cootamundra and West Wyalong.
“It’s some of the blokes who are still playing like Pete and Mark Stimson, Peter Gerhard, blokes like that who are still playing really well and it’s a credit to them,” Tassell said.
CAW’s oldest player is 43-year-old Robbie Jackson, but he’s just a pup to all three, with the Stimson siblings confirmed to play.
Peter Stimson recently turned 50, while Peter Gerhard represented Australian Country in the 1990s.
“Those older blokes tend to hold us together up the top of the order,” Tassell said.
The 26-year-old has 33 wickets and will tackle Panthers’ team-mates Ryan and Nathan Brown, and Sam O’Connor.
“’Tass’ is one of the best bowlers in the league, so I’m certainly excited to hopefully face him,” O’Connor said.
Tassell admits there will be sledging at Les Cheesley Oval.
“But it will be very light-hearted,” he quipped.
Tassell and Ryan Brown are rated among CAW’s quickest bowlers, so the Temora product was quizzed on who’s faster.
“I’ll let him have it.”
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