A decision to chase bonus points almost cost Newtown a win and top spot on the RSL Whitney Cup ladder last Saturday at Victoria Park no.1 oval.
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Newtown batted first and set RSL Colts a target of 174 for victory with Charlie Kempston impressive at the crease.
Kempston was unlucky not to reach his 50, scoring his 47 off 54 balls. His innings included three boundaries and two sixes.
Newtown captain Mat Skinner made special mention of Kempston and Ben Patterson (36) for their efforts with the bat.
“They were both good for us, Charlie and Patto were terrific and helped us set a good total,” he said.
“Patto also got a couple of wickets, so he had a very good day.”
Newtown took to the field in an aggressive mindset which Skinner said had them on track for a big victory.
“We got a couple of early wickets and we were on top and we were going for the bonus points,” he said.
“We thought we were a red hot shot for the double bonus points and we were pushing hard for it and we used a bit of firepower early, but then they started to block it out.
“That’s when we used a few change bowlers and we leaked a few runs trying to go for the bonus points.
“We came into the last ten and they’d scratched up enough runs so they only needed 60 odd off the last ten to win, so we went from being on the attack to get the bonus point to defending so we could win the game, so it turned out to be a weird kind of game.
“When it came down to the last couple of overs, we were good enough to bowl well and we got the win which is big for us because it puts us back up in first place and we’re happy with that.”
Skinner said his team would take some confidence into the finals after Saturday’s win.
“We have beaten Colts twice this year which is the first time I think we have done that, so that’s big for us to know that we can beat them and beat them twice,” he said.
“We know we can beat them and with Rugby next and CYMS in the last round, we’ll be looking for wins so we can finish first.”
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We thought we were a red hot shot for the double bonus points and we were pushing hard for it.
- Mat Skinner