CYMS captain Ryan Medley has praised his side’s attitude and energy after a thrilling breakthrough win on Saturday.
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The Cougars scored their first Whitney Cup win for the season when holding off defending premiers Macquarie in a final over classic.
Despite a No.3 Oval pitch which was often hardly conducive to quality cricket, CYMS recovered from 3-7 early on to post 7-193 from 40 overs.
Macquarie also lost wickets early but threatened to get back into the match before eventually being bowled out in the final over for 186.
“It was really good to get a win,” Medley said.
“Good to boost our confidence and I don’t think we’re quite at our best and that’s even more pleasing, knowing we can knock over the premiers and still have a fair bit of improvement in front of us.
“I think we played the conditions better and were generally a bit more up for the game.
“Everyone was involved and we wanted it more. They had a chance to win it but I think we wanted to win it more and probably slightly more positive too and that played it our favour.”
After winning the toss and batting, CYMS lost Lewis Matthews (0), Heath Larance (1) and Ben Strachan (0) inside three overs with the latter two both falling in one Jeremy Dickson over.
Brock Larance was flying before being bowled for 30 off a Dickson delivery which didn’t bounce above ankle height but Medley and Thomas Nelson began the rebuild.
Both were patient early on but runs eventually began to come more easily as the partnership passed 50.
The partnership was 106 before Nelson (35) was bowled by Ben Taylor’s spin but Medley (59) played with class and he and some late hitting from Ben O’Donnell (33) helped CYMS get close to 200.
The Blues lost talisman Jason Green (13) early in the run chase to Ben Strachan but Ed Haylock stood firm as further wickets fell around him.
He eventually departed for a well-made 37 but Ben Taylor was starting to look ominous down the other end, taking 16 and nine off successive Nick Guthrie overs.
“I was a bit nervous there when Turbo (Taylor) was going,” Medley said. “I thought if there was anyone who could win a game from nowhere he’s the most likely so I was pretty pleased to see him knick that one off Brock (Larance) because I’ve seen him destroy a few attacks.”
Taylor was caught behind for 39 and soon after there was 30 runs needed off 36 balls with two wickets in hand. Ben Knaggs (3-37) knocked over Joey Haylock and it came down to 14 off the last over. The Blues were unable to do it, with Dickson being bowled on the final ball.
