Diggers overcome rain
Hutchinson’s six delivers a GF spot
Wet conditions threatened but couldn’t derail Northern Brothers Diggers charge to the TCI A-grade grand final, pulling out a nailbiting 38-run victory over University at the weekend.
Starting day two at 7-101, Diggers could only add another three runs before being dismissed after another rain delayed start of play.
Requiring a total of 105 to progress through to the grand final, University found the going tough on a rain-affected second day.
Dane Hutchinson and Kane Bradford tore through the top order, with Uni dropping its first five wickets for just 25.
As the rain continued to descend on Heritage Oval, Diggers tight bowling held University to 5-32 at the drinks.
The ensuing two overs after the break saw two more wickets fall, and left University requiring a miracle.
Despite the best efforts of Jacob Littleproud, who topscored for Uni with 23, it ultimately wasn’t enough, with Bradford taking a catch on the boundary off the bowling of Hutchinson to dismiss them for 66.
That brought up six wickets for Hutchinson (6-25), who bowled through the innings in the testing conditions.
“It was a bit heavy on the run ups, and the rain in the second session made it a lot tougher,” Hutchinson said.
“The wicket played really well for fast bowling. It had a bit in it all day.
“We needed to be really aggressive with the new ball. Kane bowled really well from the other end and it helps when you’ve got guys going in tandem.
“Our approach was to be really aggressive, be a good unit together and put the pressure on them in the field as well.
“It can be difficult chasing those low totals. They may have gone about it the wrong way. I think they should have attacked earlier, and they may have left it a bit too late and unfortunately (for them) we had a few double wickets in the middle that put the pressure on the tail.”
The opening day of play was delayed for almost three hours due to the inclement conditions, and it was University that struck early.
Andrew Johnston removed openers Louis Reen and Jack Potter inside nine overs to have Diggers reeling at 2-15.
As wickets continued to fall under grey skies, one constant that remained was Glass, who held staunch throughout the day.
After occupying the crease for more than three hours, Glass was eventually dismissed at the end of the session, finishing on 49 runs from 188 deliveries, as Northern Brothers closed the day out with three wickets remaining.