Two Blues’ last stand almost steals show
NEWTOWN & Chilwell has come within three runs of a freakish win over North Geelong after the Magpies had the Two Blues at 9-124, chasing 198, and seemingly out of the game at Osborne Park.
Two Blues skipper Shane Franklin hammered an 85ball 68 and combined with tailender Nick McGuane (15 not out) for a 71-run finalwicket stand — the charge brought to a halt only when Franklin drove a low full toss to Damian Vassiliou at cover from the third-last ball of the game.
“Every single game is so important and I think we got away with one there today,” Magpies captain Sam Hall said post-game.
“We put ourselves into such a strong position to win but let them back in with too many loose balls.
“We just couldn’t seem to get that last wicket.”
The game was all the more remarkable for McGuane with the 21-year-old bowling full and straight earlier in the day to claim a hat-trick as the host was reeled in from 1-147 to be all out for 197.
McGuane had Vassiliou caught behind and then bowled Braden Szponar and Cam Alford in successive deliveries to capture just the fourth 1st X1 hat-trick in club history.
The left-arm opening bowler finished with 5-40, while he found support from newcomer Shane Murdoch with 3-33.
Only Hall and Curtly Balshaw fired with the bat for the Magpies with 57 and 76, conjuring up 141 for the firstwicket partnership.
In response, George Chisholm (32) and Murdoch (27) got going for Newtown & Chilwell, but the Two Blues slipped into trouble at 8-89.
The innings gained momentum with Franklin at the crease but, despite hitting two twos and a six to begin the final over, the target of 13 off the 50th over ultimately proved too much, with Vassiliou’s catch from the fourth ball.