Few could believe RSL-Colts were second from bottom on the RSL-Whitney Cup ladder heading into the final round before the Christmas and New Year’s break.
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But the players themselves, led by captain Greg Buckley, were never phased and back-to-back bonus point wins has the men in red well-shaped to launch an assault on the top three when the competition resumes on January 13.
Colts simply overpowered last-placed CYMS on Saturday, dismissed the Cougars for just 93 before reaching the target in the 18th over.
“Now we’re getting the team together, we’ve had a lot away with representative games, we’re getting that bond back and we need these points,” Buckley said.
“I don’t think there’s ever been a time, even when we were losing games, that we thought we’re not going to push for a semi-finals spot and we’re still pretty confident.
“The team will settle after Christmas and we’ll give it a good go.”
I don’t think there’s ever been a time, even when we were losing games, that we thought we’re not going to push for a semi-finals spot.
- Greg Buckley
The Cougars won the toss and batted at No. 2 Oval but didn’t start well with Tom Coady (0) and key man Brock Larance (2) both falling inside four overs.
Opener Thomas Nelson and captain Ben Knaggs seemed to be settling in and added 32 for the third wicket before the latter fell for 21.
From there it was just a procession as the Colts attack, led by left-armer Bede Young, strangled the CYMS attack and took wickets at regular intervals.
Nelson was the only one to show any fight and fell just short of carrying his bat, as he was the last wicket to fall for 47 with the total not even reaching triple figures.
Young was a standout and finished with 4/20 from his nine.
“Bede has been a bit of a find this year. He’s not played much cricket for a few years and he’s played two or three games I’ve been involved with and I’ve been really impressed,” Buckley said.
“We’ve been a bit short of pace this year but Bede has stepped up and done well.
“When we got those first few wickets we were confident we were going to roll CYMS for a low total and then with our batting we were planning to go out and get the bonus point.”
The chase didn’t start ideally for the defending premiers as both Buckley and Wes Giddings fell before even a run had been scored.
Graeme Morton (14) also came and went but Darrell Williams (31 not out) held things together while Chris Morton (49 not out) blasted his side to victory.
“It was a bit of a gamble (to go hard early) and when we lost Wes and I early we thought it was just about winning the game and if we do get in the position to go for a bonus point then we got for it,” Buckley said, praising the depth in his lineup.
“We do have the luxury and sometimes it can come off.”
Skipper Knaggs claimed two of the three wickets to fall but his Cougars’ finals chances now appear all but over.
Colts is now fourth, five points off a finals place.