Tobias Snell makes first grade debut and is reunited with his long-time mate Noah McFadyen

Two cricketing mates who share the special bond of gloveman-bowler, Tobias Snell and Noah McFadyen, were reunited in Premier grade for the first time last Saturday against Gold Coast.

Two cricketing mates who share the special bond of gloveman-bowler were reunited in Premier grade for the first time last Saturday against Gold Coast

Tobias Snell entered rare cricketing waters when, as a year 11 student, he made his first grade debut for Norths.

Stuart Law played first grade for Valley in the 1980s as a 15-year-old and Will Prestwidge a one-dayer for Norths aged 16, but Snell is still a baby on the first class seen.

Snell, who attends St Joesph’s Gregory Terrace, was reunited in first grade with his longtime mate from junior cricket, Noah McFadyen, who only a week earlier made his top grade debut.

Snell is a wicketkeeper batsman while McFadyen, a year 12 student at Nudgee College, is a swing bowler and promising batsman.

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Snell opened the innings and made 13, while McFadyen, who is also a good batsman, made 34 in a collapsing innings (181).

Noah McFadyen coming into bowl.

The affable Snell, whose brother Isaiah plays A grade at Wests, came through the juniors system with McFadyen at Wilston Norths before progressing to Norths.

More than that, Snell was also wicketkeeper to McFadyen’s swing bowling as their career intertwined through representing Queensland (under 15s, under 17s and under 19s) and Australia (under 16).

When they played against each other during the GPS cricket season earlier in the year, McFadyen (Nudgee) had Snell (Terrace) caught at the wicket for 14.

Toby Snell of Gregory Terrace and Noah McFadyen from Nudgee College when they confront each other for only the second time in the GPS cricket clash earlier in the season..

“They both started in sixth grade and Lord Taverners under 16 teams at Norths and have progressed rapidly through the ranks and taken every opportunity available to them,’’ said Norths president Paul Keller.

The boys come from rich sporting stock.

Aside from Isaiah Snell playing first grade, the Snell’s sister Maddison is a national ranked swimmer.

McFadyen’s brother Connor is also on the Brisbane Lions roster while the youngest McFadyen, Fergus, is an eye-catching all-rounder in year 8 at Nudgee.

Tobias (Toby) Snell and Noah McFadyen when they represented the Queensland under 19s together.

Noah McFadyen is also an elite Australian football junior, having this year made the national side after the under 16 interstate carnival.

Kellar said the boys also had great guidance from their parents, Peter and Lucy Snell and Brian and Fiona McFadyen.

“The families are very good friends, but just as importantly Peter and Lucy Snell and Brian and Fiona McFadyen are great examples of parents who understand and nurture talented children,’’ Kellar said.

“They are actively involved in all their children’s lives, quietly supporting them all equally, while standing back to allowing their children to learn without interfering. We are blessed to have them at Norths.’’