Winch survives scare to win against Wallabies
WINCHELSEA held on for an important victory against Wallington, but it was not without a major scare as Matt Jeffreys launched a late charge at an unlikely victory.
The Blues opted to bat first, but were in serious early trouble, losing 3-19 including in-form skipper Adam Korth.
Will Kelly arrived at the crease and set about turning his team’s fortunes around in partnership with Ryen Smith. The pair added a valuable 67 before Kelly fell for an impressive 38, continuing his good form from the last round.
The Blues were in a precarious position when the fifth wicket fell with only 107 on the board, but Baiden Luppino offered vital support as Smith took to the bowling and dragged his team to a competitive total of 5-157.
His innings of 70 not out was smattered with eight boundaries and another two clearing the ropes.
Jeffreys was the early destroyer for the Wallabies, taking 2-22 with the new ball, with Dane WiseGraham providing the perfect supporting role with 1-11 in a miserly eight-over spell.
Wise-Graham then padded up to be part of a strong opening stand of 37 with Andrew Williams (23) to set up the Wallabies chase.
Wise-Graham made a patient 15, but was the fourth wicket to fall at 60, leaving Wallington under pressure on the slow ground.
From that point the Wallabies struggled for any rhythm, as Matt Nelson (2-22) and Dillon Campbell (2-27) strangled the middle order.
Wallington looked gone when skipper Damien Biemans was run out for 20, as the eighth wicket fell with the score at 116.
Enter Jeffreys with an aggressive mindset, as he took to the bowling to score 29 from only 20 deliveries.
He found himself at the nonstriker’s end as the 39th over started, with the Wallabies needing seven to win and two wickets in hand.
But Blues opening bowler Sam Riseley was back into the attack and up to the task, grabbing the final two wickets while Jeffreys helplessly watched on.