Western Zone’s chances of taking out the Southern Pool of the NSW Country Championships took a huge hit on Friday when the side was defeated by Southern/ACT at Shellharbour.
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The two sides, and favourites to advance from the Pool and take on Central Coast in the state final, met on day one of the Championships but it was the defending champions who prevailed by 45 runs.
Southern/ACT posted 8/250 from its 50 overs and Western failed to put together and truly meaningful partnerships in the run chase before eventually being dismissed for 205.
The result means Western must now defeat both Riverina and Illawarra on Saturday and Sunday, and hope Southern/ACT drops a match, to be any chance of winning.
“You want to win on that first day and get a bit of momentum but the equation for us is simple now,” coach Matt Crawley said, adding Southern/ACT was a powerful, disciplined side.
Western began well after losing the toss and being sent into the field.
Bathurst’s Matt Stephen made the most of his late call-up by striking twice early on with the new ball and then former Dubbo player Tim Berry got in on the act to help have Southern/ACT 3/52.
But a partnership of more than 100 between brothers Lachlan and Duncan Maddinson, also brothers of NSW gun Nick Maddinson, not only steadied the ship but also set a strong platform.
Berry removed the latter for 59 and Lachlan Maddinson was knocked over by Jacob McNaught shortly after for 76.
But the lower order showed some power and helped Southern/ACT post 8/250, with Stephen (3/48 off 10) and Berry (2/22 off 10) the best of the bowlers.
The run chase didn’t begin well for Western with leading Dubbo batsmen and NSW Country player Jordan Moran (7) and Mitch Bower (11) departing early.
Captain Nick Berry, who opened the batting with Moran, remained at the crease and kept his side in with a shot.
“(Chasing) 250 was manageable and we got off to a reasonable start,” Crawley said.
“We only wanted to be two down at drinks and we just about did that but in overs 17-34 they bowled well and got a couple of wickets and there were a couple of runouts.
“Greg Buckley and Jacob Harvey undertook a rescue mission at the end but it was just a mountain too high.”
Buckley made 44 while Harvey chipped in with 21, but it wasn’t enough as all the Southern/ACT bowlers did a job.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
