EVER since Connor Slattery first played representative cricket for Bathurst at an under 12s level there has been one team he has enjoyed beating more than any other. It's Orange.
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This Sunday Slattery will again get the chance to experience the Bathurst-Orange rivalry when he lines up in the opens team in the third round of the Western Zone Premier League.
Bathurst has not lost to Orange in this competition since November 10, 2013 and Slattery is eager to extend that streak.
He played in last season's three-wicket win over Orange and in season 2017-18, helped Bathurst to a tight one-wicket victory as he took 2-31 then top-scored for his side in the chase with 23.
"Bloody oath there's a rivalry, ever since I played under 12s district for Bathurst there's always been a big rivalry with Orange," he said.
"It's probably the biggest rivalry, I'd say Bathurst-Orange is the biggest game for me. Like playing against Dubbo is a good as well, but Bathurst-Orange because I've been playing them since I was 12, I reckon that's bigger than the Dubbo game.
"I'd love to get out there and beat them."
Bloody oath there's a rivalry, ever since I played under 12s district for Bathurst there's always been a big rivalry with Orange.
- Connor Slattery
Slattery was one of the stars for defending premiers Bathurst in its opening round Western Zone Premier League win last month as he top scored on a testing wet wicket in Cowra with 41.
While round two's match against Dubbo was washed-out, Slattery was again solid with the bat in last Sunday's Plan B Regional Bash Twenty20 match when scoring 24 off 18 for the beaten Central West Wranglers.
He enjoyed those two knocks and he's keen to spend more time at the crease in representative fixtures as the season unfolds.
"I've been feeling really good to be honest, I've been enjoying it a lot more this year. Hopefully I can keep going and keep pushing for that higher rep stuff," he said.
"I think the last couple of years I've been very, very hard on myself instead of just enjoying it. I'm finally starting to learn it's just a game of cricket and to stop being so serious.
"I mean it's still serious, but I'm just letting myself enjoy it a lot more. I just try to do the best I can for the team and try and help them to get some wins."
Sunday will be Orange's first match in this season's league as its games against Mid West and Cowra were washed-out.
From the Bathurst line up which beat Cowra, there has been three changes.
Skipper Adam Ryan, Jameel Qureshi and Matt Fearnley will miss the match at the Sportsground, so Ryan Peacock will step in as captain. Cooper Brien, Matt Stephen and Jack Goodsell - who took 5-27 in club cricket last Saturday - come into the side.
Slattery is confident they can get the job done.
"I back the whole team - batting or bowling - I back anyone in the team to get us a win," he said.
