A blazing half-ton from RSL all-rounder Wes Giddings on day two of the Dubbo District Cricket Association semi-final has helped lift Colts back into the first grade grand final.
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Giddings whacked an unbeaten 52 off just 47 balls and alongside Brad Cox (39 not out) helped guide Colts past the relatively modest all-out total of 147 CYMS set on day one at No.1 Oval with seven wickets still in the shed.
Giddings also took three of the last four Cougars wickets to fall on day one as his side managed to "strangle" the inexperienced CYMS outfit out of the post season.
Giddings took 3-6 off five overs and alongside Rhys Beauchamp (3-25) helped restrict the Cougars when they looked like they were about to go on and post a big total.
If there's self-doubt in big games it can unravel quickly.
- RSL Colts veteran Wes Gidding on why his side will continue to back itself in the grand final.
The veteran RSL Colts all-rounder says winning those moments was all about backing yourself on the big stage, a belief Giddings says his side will take into next week's grand final against Newtown.
"When they had the momentum they started to bat time but when we had it on Sunday we took a risk and put another hitter up the order," Giddings said.
"You've got to take a chance but they let it slip, and that's probably an experience thing. That's probably not backing themselves.
"You've got to keep backing yourself, especially in these big games. As soon as doubt creeps in then you'll collapse and the game will be taken away from you.
"If there's self-doubt in big games it can unravel quickly."
CYMS were sent in first on Saturday and began well, openers Stu Naden and Tom Coady getting the Cougars off to a positive start after the match was initially delayed for two hours thanks to a couple of boggy patches in the outfield.
Beauchamp snagged the wicket of Coady with the score at 50 before mayhem turned CYMS' innings on its head.
Naden was run out and despite young bat Brock Larance hammering a quick-fire 48 coming in at second drop, when he fell CYMS soon lost Tom Nelson as well, the latter departing via a run out with the score on 110 and from that point regular wickets fell.
CYMS total of 147 was, if you ask skipper Ben Knaggs," about 100 runs short" and despite Colts openers Marty Jeffrey (19) and Matt Keenan (six) chipping away at that total very slowly, quick-fire knocks from Giddings and Tim Howarth (26 off 22) lifted their side into the 2018-19 grand final.
"I've got to give a rap to our whole team," Knaggs said.
"To come last, last season, then to finish third and make the semis ... it's been a massive learning curve for the boys."
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Nick McGrath
Editor, Central Western Daily
Editor, Central Western Daily
