It’s fair to say Newtown are sick of Macquarie’s Jason Green.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The veteran left-hander plundered runs against nearly every attack last season but his fine run against the Tigers continued on Saturday when he made 90 not out to lead the defending premiers to a five wicket victory.
With Macquarie resuming at 4-82 chasing Newtown’s total of 160, the match appeared in the balance but a 148-run stand between Green and captain Keiran Brien (66) led the Blues to victory.
Green fell short of a century but his 90 not out followed on from his efforts of 128 not out and 100 not out scored against the Tigers last season.
“He really worked hard for his runs,” Brien said of the run machine.
“He was a bit scratchy early but he settled in and then really played his innings.
”When I went in we had a fair bit to do but we just knuckled down and took our time and looked to put the bad ball away. We were not really worrying about the scorecard.”
The win was extra special for the Blues, and in particular Green, as it was the first match played since one of the club’s legend’s, Stephen Wilson, passed away last month.
“’Greeny’ had a lot to do with him but for the club it was a bit of a tribute and a way to pay respect so it was good to get the win,” Brien added.
Mat and Tom Skinner took three and two wickets respectively for Newtown, who fought back from being 9-142 at one stage last week to be well in the game by the beginning of day two.
Mat got the day going for his side when he had Angus Cusack (59) caught and bowled in the third over of the day but then Brien joined Green in the middle.
The two took the game away from the Tigers and while Brien was run out before the target was reached, Ben Taylor (14 not out) saw it through with Green.
While pleased with his side’s win, Brien said there is still plenty of improvement in the Blues, who meet South Dubbo next round in a grand final replay.
“Last week we weren’t ourselves but that’s expected a bit, it was the first day of the season,” he said.
“But we chased 260 and that’s probably one of the highest scores we’ve chased in a while so that’s a positive.”