The first person to take Charlestown opening bowler Rory Maddison to cricket was his grandfather Keith.
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That was around a decade ago.
Maddison still finds him on the sidelines most Saturday afternoons.
"My parents didn't really want me getting into cricket, I don't think they really wanted to sit around all day," the Kahibah 20-year-old said.
"My granddad insisted on paying the fees and taking me along. He still comes and watches every week. He loves it."
Maddison has never really looked back.
Having kick started with Charlestown juniors the right-arm paceman has continued at the Magpies ever since, working his way through the ranks alongside the likes of Daniel Chillingworth, Josh Claridge and Luke Hitchcock.
His journey in first grade began aged 16.
"It was around three years ago and I filled in for one of the guys who was away," Maddison said.
"I ended up probably playing five games across two summers when I was 16 and 17. Last season was my first full season in firsts."
Maddison's regular elevation in 2018-19 coincided with a season-ending injury to Charlestown veteran Parth Shah prior to round one.
While unexpected and suddenly thrust more responsibility, an opportunity to take the new ball week in and week out provided him with valuable "experience".
It also laid the platform for his breakout campaign, with Maddison currently equal fifth on the Newcastle District Cricket Association wicket-taking list.
He has 22 scalps next to his name from eight appearances, third highest for the seamers and narrowly behind Magpies off-spinner Isaac Wallace (24).
Maddison's best innings return is 4-31, he's yet to go wicketless in firsts this summer and his average reads 13.27.
"It's been good having a bit of consistency," he said.
"That's helped a lot and the rewards [wickets] are a bonus."
Charlestown captain Jed Dickson enjoys having Maddison in his XI.
"He's a fearless competitor who loves to back his skill with some aggression," Dickson said. "Being the fittest bloke in the team you can rely on him for long, high intensity spells."
The Magpies, in a three-way share of equal fourth on the competition ladder, are away to second-placed Wallsend next round.
Meanwhile, Hunter-bred NSW Country representative Grant Stewart, who has played with former club University during this month, has signed a two-year contract extension for English county Kent that sees him remain at the first-class outfit until the end of 2022.
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