
A quartet of Hornets appear to have the inside running if you're judging the Macquarie Coast Stingers' T20 selection trials purely off statistics.
Manning batsman Mick Rees, Wauchope RSL's Darren Bourke and Beechwood fast bowler Kahlan Duncan and Manning's Ryan Williams have impressed for the side ahead of their preliminary final clash in Port Macquarie on November 21.
Just who they play remains to be seen, but Rees (101 runs), Bourke (92 runs), Duncan (six wickets) and Williams (five wickets) have led the way for the undefeated Hornets who have registered three wins from three starts.
Stingers' chairman of selectors Aaron Hagenbach said it was pleasing to see a number of strong performances come to the fore in recent weeks.
"It's like there's a level of confidence across the board with all the teams and that's why you're seeing these big scores," he said.
"We saw 886 runs in a day on Sunday which is incredible when you think about it. To see so many runs scored, you have to have players that are believing in themselves and performing.
"They all have an element of confidence when they walk out to the middle.
"Kahlan Duncan has been impressive and he's the sort of example that this competition provides for guys who haven't played in the Premier League, but have come in and performed out of their skins."
Charles Adnum's unbeaten 89 was one of a number of weekend highlights while Ryan Bray also impressed with 83 not out.
Macleay Valley's Jackson Korn has also done his chances no harm with 74 runs in two games for the Huntsmans who are also undefeated with two wins and a washout.
South West Rocks Jye Woodger, playing for the Wasps, was also in the wickets with 2/18 while Rovers Cooper Petterson scored 49 not out.
"The players we were originally thinking would score runs ... Jackson lived up to what he has been doing the last couple of seasons in the Premier League on Sunday," Hagenbach said.
Josh Hyde and the Rays will hope they can find some luck when they clash with the Wasps on Wednesday night for the right to play the Hornets.
"The Rays haven't had a chance; their first game they were missing a few and I still think their best batting order is capable of scoring quite a few runs," Hagenbach said.
"When you throw players like Ethan Hyde into their top order, anything is possible."
The Macquarie Coast Stingers will head to Ballina on December 4 and 5 for clashes with Northern Rivers Rock and then Northern Inland Bolters.
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