HIGHTON & MIGHTY
GCA WRAP
A JACKSON Davis boundary from the final ball of the game has delivered Newtown & Chilwell a thrilling openinground victory over reigning premier East Belmont.
Despite struggling to 127, the Lions looked destined to salvage a victory when the Two Blues were reduced to 8-83 before Harry Christie (19) combined with 17-year-old debutant Joe Nagle (30 not out) to carry the score to 117.
When Josh Jenkins removed Christie, it was left to Davis and the first-gamer to steer their side to victory, which they did with the last ball of the innings.
“Pretty exciting start to the season trying to chase down 127,” Two Blues captain Dylan Hodge said.
“We made it pretty tough for ourselves at 6-53, but fortunately we had Joey Nagle come in there at the end to steady the ship.
“That was the first time I have seen him bat live, but he showed the rest of us how to do it — work the singles, put away the bad ball and, importantly, play the ball late, which is what you have to do at this time of the year.”
Tim Hosking was next best to Nagle with 20.
Davis had earlier opened the game strongly, securing 2-24 and sparking a steady flow of East Belmont wickets, before the Two Blues’ slow bowlers emerged to make their mark.
“Sam Allan (3-22) was super coming in for his first game,” Hodge said.
“His control and ability to throw the ball up and then Mr Consistent, George Chisholm (3-11), he’s done it for years now.
“You can throw him the ball inside the first 15 overs when the fielding restrictions are on.
“Six wickets between your spinners definitely lessens the load on the seamers.”
Mark Freijah top scored for East with 26, with Andrew Baars contributing 24 as an opener.
“The wicket was just a little bit slow and they played it better at the beginning of their innings, while we probably played it better a little bit later in ours,” Hodge said.