Newtown Gold gave its Kelly Cup finals hopes a massive boost on Saturday with a thrilling win over RSL-Colts Red.
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Chris Lenord, Malachi Dutchske and Josh Battishall claimed two wickets each as Colts posted 163, with Mike Coward’s 36 the best score.
The Tigers then built a number of partnerships in the chase but the balls remaining was always a threat.
In the end, they got home with an over to spare. Kain Simpson’s 64 was crucial while Gary Milliken made 33.
Newtown Black gave its own finals hopes a boost with a dominant nine-wicket win over RSL-Colts White.
Newtown Black now sits on 43 points, as does Macquarie White and Newtown Gold but the Tigers’ are fifth due to a better percentage. At John McGrath 2, Newtown Black’s opening bowlers set up the win.
Darren Davies claimed 4/13 from seven overs while Warren Dodd Snr took 2/17 from six to help roll Colts for just 80. Will English also chimed in late to take 3/9 from five overs.
Colts White had been 6-29 after just 10 but Garry Ashford (38) helped the total get closer to triple figures.
Graham Baker and Andrew Walden (16) added 36 for the first wicket in the chase and then the former and Jesse Spang (18 not out) guided the side to victory.
Baker finished unbeaten on 45, while Will Olney (1/15) was the sole wicket-taker.
CYMS Green maintained its push for a top three finish with a five wicket win over an understrength South Dubbo Green at Bob Dowling 3.
John Byrne (60) and Saad Kitan (47) piled on the runs after Souths had been reduced to 2/6 early om.
The Hornets posted 169, with Brian Carroll taking 2/26 from eight while Jed McIntosh took 2/11 late on.
Andrew Moreton dug in early during the run chase and added 40 for the second wicket with Cal Giffin (26).
Wickets fell at regular intervals, Ray Smith the best bowler with 2/31, but Paul Suckling (50 not out) came out and blasted his side to victory, with Moreton (56 not out) also playing a key role.
Macquarie White remains right in the battle for fifth spot after defeating Rugby Blue by six wickets.
Captain Justin Gavin led the way. making 54 not out as his side reached the target of 148 with six wickets and more than two overs to spare.
The Blues bowlers had earlier fought back brilliantly after James Rootes (60) and Dale Watmore (47) had helped Rugby Blue to 1/113.
Great Scullard took 3/30 while Ben Calder claimed 2/12 from eight overs.
Jon Fuller (35) got the chase off to a positive start but after a couple of wickets it was left to Gavin and Brayth Stevenson (29 not out) to get Macquarie Blue the win.
Rugby Red remains second after outclassing basement side Macquarie Blue by a convincing 137 runs.
Macquarie made a fine start to the match, restricting Rugby Red to 3-56 after 20 overs but in the second half of the innings Wayne Munro led a flurry of runs.
The veteran made 67 not out as Rugby Red finished with 188, with Dave Murray taking 3/33 while Matt Ball took 2/17 from eight.
Macquarie Blue was never really in the chase, slumping to 7/26 and the task was far too huge from there.
Shayne Wilesmith then top-scored with 16 not out but Macquarie Blue was still rolled for just 51. Matt Neill took 2/10 from eight.
CYMS White seems all but certain to finish on top after defeating South Dubbo Gold by 66 runs.
A number of different batsmen contributed for the Cougars but Shawn Townsend was the best and finished with 64 in his side’s total of 248, while three different bowlers took two wickets each. Souths put up a real fight in reply but it wasn’t enough, as they finished with 182. Richie Richardson made 61 at the top while Patty Nelson took 2/17 from seven.