Sport
27 February, 2023
Owls’ top two chances washed away in rain
Maryborough were left most frustrated by the persistent rain on Saturday, as their chances of a home final disappeared. Instead, it now means that the Owls will finish third on the ladder, needing to take their bye in the final round. Just six overs...
Maryborough were left most frustrated by the persistent rain on Saturday, as their chances of a home final disappeared.
Instead, it now means that the Owls will finish third on the ladder, needing to take their bye in the final round.
Just six overs of play were possible on Saturday afternoon, with the Owls requiring another 54 runs to take first innings points.
However, despite their best efforts, the required run rate of nine runs an over was just too much for the Owls to overcome to take an unlikely victory.
The day started with Zac McLeod and Ben Hoban at the crease, with McLeod on 18 and Hoban on 11.
Beaufort struck first, with McLeod run out for 19 by Blake Jantzen with the score on 88.
The Owls sent out the quick-scoring Sam Bartlett in hopes of obtaining a result, and while he put on 25 runs, including a four and a six, they fell 22 agonising runs short of first-innings points — a result which would have allowed them to leapfrog Colts Phelans on the ladder due to percentage.
It means the Owls will now sit out the final fortnight of the home and away campaign as they focus on the finals, while Beaufort lives to fight another day, with their crucial game against Clunes next week determining whether the Crows will make the finals.