Sport
12 February, 2024
Colts hold off Owls by 23 runs
PHIL HOOPER INSURANCE A GRADE MARYBOROUGH 160 def by COLTS PHELANS 9/183d Colts Phelans booked their spot in the finals in style, but not without a scare from Maryborough, and Martin Dell in particular. Starting the day at 2/4, the Owls needed a big...
PHIL HOOPER INSURANCE A GRADE MARYBOROUGH 160 def by COLTS PHELANS 9/183d
Colts Phelans booked their spot in the finals in style, but not without a scare from Maryborough, and Martin Dell in particular.
Starting the day at 2/4, the Owls needed a big partnership from Ben Hoban and Steven Shovan if they were to be a good chance of chasing down Colts’ total of 183.
But after making 16 runs, they came unstuck for their first wicket of the day, with Shovan run out by Rhys Wagstaff.
Two balls later, Sam Thomson was also gone, with a good delivery from Dayne Baker yielding his third wicket thanks to a nick to Rhys Egan behind the stumps.
Hoban and Dell came in and used their experience to steady the ship, putting on a partnership of 54 runs which saw them recover from 4/20 to be in a reasonable position.
But that all changed when Ben Stubbings was able to get the key breakthrough, landing the wicket of Hoban for 36, which gave Colts the initiative again.
Marc Cassidy tried to push the pace, but it wasn’t to be, as Stubbings secured his second wicket, bowling him for 12.
Lachie Condie made 11, but he would soon be Stubbings’ third victim when he was caught out by Nick Henderson to leave the Owls 7/106.
When Troy Bursill went for two, the Owls were 8/117 and it seemed a Colts victory was all-but a formality.
But Dell continued to push on as best he can, and passed 50 to keep the Owls in the game alongside Jasper Trickey, who was hanging around to make sure Dell had the strike.
The duo put on 38 runs for the ninth wicket as the Owls got to within 30 runs of victory, but Trickey soon got bowled by Henderson for two.
Dell’s terrific innings was left stranded on an unbeaten 81 as Baker finished off the job he started on day one last week, trapping Jacob Glen in front for LBW to give himself a five-wicket haul for the first time this season.
Baker’s 5/52 was the key catalyst for Colts’ victory, but it would be remiss not to mention Stubbings’ work in disrupting the middle order, taking 3/19 off 13 overs.
The Owls now have a big task ahead of them to avoid the wooden spoon for the season, while Colts can focus on a finals appearance, and perhaps a home final.