Jason Green produced the individual highlight at No. 2 Oval on Saturday but Newtown proved that age-old adage right – cricket’s a team game.
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The Tigers won the match by 29 runs, leapfrogging Macquarie in the process.
The loss, combined with RSL-Colts win over Souths, means the Blues tumbled from third spot to fifth.
Green proved he’s still got it, adding yet another century to his vast collection, but he received little support as the Blues failed to chase down Newtown’s total of 9/253 from its 45 overs.
Dan Holland picked up the key wicket of Green for 107, capping off a fine all-round match.
Holland had earlier top-scored for Newtown with 62 while he took 4/41 from his nine overs.
“The two games after Christmas were always going to be pretty crucial for us,” Newtown’s Dan French said.
“If we lost two, even one, it was probably season over so to win both is big.”
French said the batting again produced something which Newtown teams of the past has missed.
The ability to build on a foundation and have contributions from the top of the order right through to the tail has not always been something the Tigers have been known for but it was definitely the case on Saturday.
Holland batted well for his 62 and while the next best score was French’s 48 from number seven, the likes of Steve Skinner (34), Mitch Russo (29) and Doug Potter (25) all chipped in to help the score go past 250.
It’s good that this season, the last couple of weeks in particular, we’ve stuck with it and batted our overs.
- Newtown's Dan French
“For as long as I’ve been playing we’ve had a good top order that’s got us off to a good start but a lot of time we’d fail to capitalise,” French said.
“It’s good that this season, the last couple of weeks in particular, we’ve stuck with it and batted our overs.”
Keiran Brien, Jeremy Dickson and Cody Hannelly took two wickets each for the Blues.
With plenty of runs needed, Green moved up to number three and quickly reached 50 with minimal fuss.
The Blues were on target at 2/104 after 20 but then the field was pushed back and Green and the rest of the lineup struggled to find the boundary as easily.
Green also struggled to find someone to build a partnership with, the next best score after his ton being opener Ed Haylock’s 26.
“As long as he (Green) was out there, they were a chance,” French said.
“Even in the last six overs they needed about 12 an over … he could get that himself, to be honest.”
But Holland had him caught by Wayne Dunlop in the 41st over and it didn’t take long for the match to be over.
Russo (3/49) was the other multiple wicket-taker.
“The vibe around the team is good,” French said, his side equal with third-placed Colts.
“We’re all pulling in one direction and they boys want to play for each other so we’ve got to keep going, that’s the challenge.”
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.
