Playing at TAS, the young coastal batsman blasted a big ton (165) in his side’s 284 before Tamworth were bowled out for 184 in reply.

Hosts Armidale had a 45-run win over Hunter Valley at Armidale Sportsground, Lismore beat West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook by 47 runs at Harris Park and Penrith defeated Ballina by eight wickets at Lambert Park in other first round matches.

But the biggest talking point was Coelho’s marvellous  century.

“He batted well,” said Tamworth coach Simon Hood. He did give a couple of hard chances and good sides take those chances. We dropped him at 30 and then again at 85 and he made us pay. He hit the ball hard too; he took to our spinners especially.”

Tamworth’s Sam Attwell (4-40) bowled consistent line and length and had a good return from his 9.3 overs.

“It was a small ground and we didn’t set the best fields for Sam but he was good enough to find the gaps too.”

Chasing Hastings’ big score was always a tough chase. Lachlan Fauchon was best of the Tamworth batsmen, finishing with 55.

“A few of the others chipped in with 20s and 30s but they were just too good for us,” Hood said. “We are hopeful of bouncing back against Ballina tomorrow (today).”

Tamworth plays a Ballina side which was routed for 60 yesterday by Penrith.

J Orton’s 5-13 destroyed Ballina as Penrith lost just two wickets in the run chase.

While Tamworth and Ballina match up at Harris Park, Penrith tackles Hastings at New England Mutual Armidale Sportsground.

Hosts Armidale had a good start with Jack Carey (39no), Angus Dawson (37) and Matt Campion (23) all heading a good batting effort.

Armidale made 159 against Hunter Valley at Armidale Sportsground after being sent in on a bit of a poppy wicket, said coach Blair Chalmers.

“The ball held up a bit early on; the ground staff did a great job to get the wicket in a playing condition,” Chalmers said.

“We did lose a couple of wickets early but we had a good partnership between Angus Dawson (37) and Matt Campion (23) and then Jack Carey (39no) had another good partnership with Matt.

“We lost our way a bit at the end but 159 was a good score on that wicket and a slow outfield.”

He said Guyra’s Phoebe Stace bowled well early (1-8) and after that early breakthrough the wickets were shared around.

Angus Dawson backed up his batting effort by capturing 3-7 late in the innings while Daley Wood (1-12) and Sean Niemeyer (2-18) all bowled well early.

A direct hit from Angus Dawson also ran out HV’s most promising batsmen.

TUESDAY:

Round 2: West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook v Armidale (Lambert Park), Hunter Valley v Lismore (TAS), Penrith v Hastings (Armidale Sportsground), Ballina v Tamworth (Harris Park).