A Western Zone product proved the difference on Monday as the Orana Outlaws were knocked out of the Plan B Regional Bash at the semi-final stage.
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The Orana Outlaws returned to the hallowed turf of the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) targeting a second Plan B Regional Bash win in five seasons but came up against a Blake Dean-inspired ACT Aces in the semis.
The Bathurst product rode his luck at times and was dropped on numerous occasions but he made the most of it and banged 74 from 54 balls at the top of the order to put the Aces in a commanding position after they won the toss and batted.
Scott Murn then produced a late flurry and made a rapid 41 from 23 to drive the Aces to an imposing 4/161.
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Orana's marquee man Tim Armstrong was vital at the top of the order and while he showed flashes of his quality in the run chase he could only manage 28 and his departure was a huge blow for his side.
The wickets fell steadily after that and the Outlaws ultimately fell well short and were restricted to 6/117.
Armstrong was one of the best performers for the beaten Outlaws, top-scoring after taking a handy 2/33 with the ball.
Now playing with Eastern Suburbs, the Dubbo junior and former Australian under 19 representative was called on to roll the arm over after Dean had handed out some punishment.
While Bailey Edmunds (1/14) had produced a fine spell with the new ball for the Outlaws he was the only bowler to come out unscathed against Dean.
The one-time Sydney Thunder player was particularly brutal on Ben Knaggs, who finished with 0/28 from just two overs, and showcased his ability to use 360 degrees of the field.
He hit eight fours and one six before advancing and missing a delivery from Steve Skinner (1/23) in the 14th over, and keeper Jason Ryan had plenty of time to knock off the bails.
With Edmunds and Ben Strachan having each bowled out their four overs with the new ball captain Mitch Bower was short of options late in the innings and Murn made the most of it to drive his side well past 150.
If the Outlaws were a strong chance of winning they needed a big effort with the bat in the powerplay but it wasn't to be as only 38 runs were scored and Ben Wheeler (12) was knocked over.
Charlie Kempston (7), Armstrong (28), and Bower (14) never dominated the attack and all fell while the required run rate rose and rose against a disciplined bowling attack and some smart field placings.
Strachan knocked around a run-a-ball 18 late on but there was a mountain to climb late on and the Aces went on to win by a convincing 44 runs.
Hanno Jacobs claimed 2/29 for the Aces, who play the Lake Mac Attack in the decider from 6pm tonight.
The Outlaws' defeat was part of a disappointing day for Orana as the women's side was also beaten by the ACT in its semi-final earlier on Monday morning.