THE scene is set for a thrilling final round of the 2014-15 Whitney Cup season, with Macquarie's narrow win over Souths at No.2 Oval on Saturday setting up a winner-take-all battle between the Blues and Rugby for the third and final spot in the finals.
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Macquarie overcame a pair of mini-collapses to take the vital victory, which became more important as Rugby fell to Newtown at No.1 Oval.
"It wasn't pretty in the end but for us to chase 230 without 'KB' (Keiran Brien) and 'Greeny' (Jason Green) was big for us," opening batsman Ed Haylock said.
"If we'd lost our season was pretty much over but we've given ourselves a chance now. We need to come out and win against Rugby and if we do we're into finals and anything can happen."
Chasing 239 for victory and with Brien (13) already back in the sheds, it was Haylock and Richard Hawker who took to the crease on Saturday with the score reading 1-43.
The pair survived the early onslaught from Souths, adding a further 39 runs before Haylock fell to Scott Tucker one run shy of what would have been a well-deserved half-century.
While Macquarie were travelling well they kept losing wickets at key moments as Hawker (20), Ian Marchant (29) and Joe Haylock (6) all fell in quick succession to leave the score 5-137.
But it was the old and new that combined to steer the side out of trouble, with veteran Justin Gavin and newcomer Mitch Williams-Hedges combining for a valuable partnership.
Gavin made 56 as the pair put on 93 for the sixth wicket before Williams-Hedges was caught and bowled by Will Wolter for 36.
At that stage the score read 6-230 but the drama didn't end there as Gavin, Cody Hannelly and Angus Cusack fell in quick succession to leave the Blues with just one wicket and needing four runs for victory.
In the end Shane Dupille stepped up and belted a pair of boundaries to secure the points before Souths went in for their second innings.
Backing up from a century on day one, Asher Robins belted a quickfire 82 as the Hornets finished 5-142.
With RSL-Colts seemingly having the minor premiership wrapped up and Newtown secure in second, all eyes will be on Macquarie and Newtown over the next two Saturdays.
"It's up to us now. Rugby are always a dangerous opponent and with guys like Mitch Bower and Jordan Moran that can score runs you need to play well to beat them," Haylock said.
"We had to earn the win on Saturday.
"We didn't do it easily but a few guys chipped in, and 'Gavo' and Mitch played really important innings' in the middle to set it up.
"Rugby will probably have a point to prove after they lost to Newtown like they did, but if we can play two good days of cricket hopefully we can beat them and earn our spot in the finals."