Ladder leading Lindenow South Glenaladale survived a major scare, holding on for a one-wicket round three Bairnsdale Cricket Association win over Metung Swan Reach at Lindenow South.
The “A” grade newcomers took it right up to the perennial finalists in a low-scoring encounter. Bowled out for just 74 with only Nathan Yarde (17), Hywell Nicholls (14) and Sam Tindley-Roe (12no) making double figures, it was always going to be a difficult score to defend.
Bulls co-captain Mel Irish starred with the ball, taking 5/12 from his nine overs, while openers Seth Smith and Jamie Donnelly claimed two wickets each.
Any thoughts Metung Swan Reach would roll over were quickly put to bed with Forhad Haque dismissing openers Scott Dare (2) and Nathan King (2) quickly before Royce Colgrave reduced the Bulls to 3/11 when he bowled Logan Dunkley.
Haydn Erfurth, Seth and Kobe Smith only made minor contributions as Zac O’Keefe (32) dug in to revive his side’s hopes.
However when he was trapped lbw by Brendan Gallus, South still required seven runs with two wickets in hand, putting extra pressure on the tail.
Irish got his side to within one of levelling the scores when Griffin Sherritt fell to the pressure, caught off the bowling of Colgrave for a duck.
Two runs were required for victory, one for a tie and the Swans were hunting one more wicket for a thrilling victory – what would’ve been the club’s first at “A” grade level.
Donelley survived the final ball of the Colgrave over, handing responsibility back to Irish to claim get his side home.
Irish tied things up with a single off the first ball of the next over, the Swans trying relentlessly to dismiss Donelley and share the points. He would get through the remaining five balls of the Gallus over, before Irish sealed victory with a three off the bowling of Colgrave seven balls after levelling the scores.
Haque starred with 2/11, Colgrave claimed 3/19 and Mark Hopgood 2/13 in a good spread for the Swans.
O’Keefe was the only Bull to reach double figures.
