Gunn & Moore Rival Original Junior Cricket Bat
The Gunn & Moore Rival Original Junior Cricket Bat is a premium Grade 1 English willow cricket bat designed for junior players who favour positive, attacking stroke play. Available in Size 6 and Harrow, it brings the Rival's low swell and F2 face profile into junior sizing for developing cricketers who want a high grade bat for school, club and representative cricket.
The Rival uses a low swell with an F2 face profile, concentrating more of the bat's shape towards the lower hitting area.
That profile particularly suits players who get onto the front foot and regularly make contact lower down the blade when driving. The Rival shape is not limited to front foot cricket, however, and is designed to support controlled scoring around the ground.
GM NOW! Preparation
The Rival Original comes with GM NOW! preparation, a protective facing and ToeTek™ already fitted. The bat has therefore undergone GM's preparation process before purchase and can be introduced into the nets without completing the traditional knocking in process yourself.
We still recommend progressing gradually with a newly prepared English willow bat. Begin with gentle throwdowns and an older ball before moving through spin and seam bowling in the nets. This gradually introduces the willow to harder impacts before facing a hard new ball in match conditions.
Who is the GM Rival Original Junior best for?
The GM Rival Original Junior is best for developing and competitive junior cricketers looking for a premium Grade 1 English willow bat in Size 6 or Harrow. Its low swell makes it particularly relevant for attacking players who favour front foot stroke play, while the high grade willow suits juniors playing regular school, club or representative cricket.
Key features
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Grade 1 English willow provides premium willow for junior cricket
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Available in Size 6 and Harrow
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Low swell positions more of the profile towards the lower hitting area
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F2 face profile provides the distinctive Rival face shape
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Attacking profile particularly suits positive front foot stroke play
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Rival shape provides the playing characteristics of the senior range in junior sizing
Why buy a junior cricket bat from Players Sports?
Getting the right junior cricket bat is about more than choosing a brand or willow grade. At Players Sports Greenlane, 1–7 Marewa Road, young players can compare bats across our multi brand cricket range and assess the length, weight, pickup and balance that suit them.
Our team can also help with cricket bat sizing, preparation and protection, while our Cricket Bat Workshop provides ongoing bat care and repair services. Players Sports combines specialist cricket knowledge with the range and support of a New Zealand owned sports retailer.
Frequently asked questions
What grade willow is the GM Rival Original Junior Cricket Bat?
The GM Rival Original Junior is made from Grade 1 English willow. This makes it a premium junior cricket bat for developing and competitive young players who want high quality willow for regular cricket.
What sizes does the GM Rival Original Junior come in?
The GM Rival Original Junior is available in Size 6 and Harrow. Both are junior cricket bat sizes, with Harrow generally representing the next step towards a full senior bat.
Is the GM Rival Original Junior suitable for attacking batters?
Yes. The low swell and F2 face profile make the Rival particularly relevant for positive junior batters who favour front foot stroke play and hitting through the line.
Is Grade 1 English willow worth it for a junior player?
Grade 1 English willow makes most sense for a committed junior playing regular cricket who will benefit from a premium bat. For younger or more occasional players, correct size, manageable weight and good pickup should take priority over buying the highest willow grade.
This Gunn & Moore bat comes fitted with a facing, GM NOW! and ToeTek™ so you can hit the nets straight away skipping the knock in process if you like.
GM NOW!
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“Knocked-in” by the Gunn & Moore bat makers in Nottingham. Raw linseed oil has been applied to reduce cracking and splitting by maintaining the moisture level of the blade, with a clear bat facing also applied to the face and edges to increase blade durability.
TOETEK ™
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DriGuard applied to resist dampness and minimise toe swelling. A specially shaped resilient toe shield has also been fitted to toe of bat. This helps reduces toe damage and feathering that is often caused by tapping at the crease. We recommend avoiding tapping your bat at the crease, or only doing so softly.
| Gunn & Moore Cricket Bats | |
| Bat Size | Player Height (cm) |
| Small Adult | 170 - 175 |
| Harrow | 165 - 170 |
| Size 6 | 160 - 165 |
| Size 5 | 152 - 160 |
| Size 4 | 145 - 152 |
| Size 3 | 137 - 145 |
| Size 2 | 130 - 137 |
| Size 1 | - 130 |
| Please use the above as a guide only. | |
Experience our speedy shipping service across New Zealand.
We prioritise hassle-free returns, allowing you to buy multiple items or sizes and return any unwanted items no questions asked. Ensure you receive the correct size initially and easily send back any ill-fitting sizes.
All exchanges will be sent back to you at no additional cost.
For full-priced items, you have the option to exchange, receive store credit, or obtain a refund.
Sale (Discounted) and Clearance items can be exchanged or credited, but refunds are not available.
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