MIRACLE COMEBACK
University defies the odds to book finals spot
University has pulled out one of the most remarkable final days in TCI history to come from the clouds and ensure a finals berth.
Heading into the final day of their encounter with Northern Brothers Diggers, their opponents needed just 113 runs with seven wickets in hand to ensure a third-placed finish.
The bowling efforts of Anduring drew Johnston (2/37), Rick Smith (3/17) and Jye Wallis (2/53) restricted Diggers to just 152, 31 runs behind University.
With Highfields-Railways securing an outright victory against Southern Districts, both teams were out of the finals picture following the first innings.
This forced both teams to push aggressively in the hopes of an outright victory to try and leapfrog the Bulldogs into third spot.
The equation for both teams was simple.
University needed 100 runs and to bowl Diggers out to secure enough points to make the finals, while an outright win for Northern Brothers would be enough to get them through.
Taking just 28 overs in their second innings, University managed to declare at 9/119 as they tried to push quick runs and do their best to secure a result.
This meant Diggers needed to chase down 151 runs to take victory, and things looked promising early as Louis Reen (26 runs) and Kris Glass (26) helped them to 4/92.
It was again Johnston (4/26) who poured the pressure on however, with a key spell helping to dismiss Northern Brothers for 127.
University captain Tully Willson said they were able to keep an eye on other grounds
the game and were able to attack accordingly.
“The Highfields game had live scoring so we were able to keep in touch there and have a go towards the end of the day,” Willson said.
“It was our only chance to get in the finals, to have a good go at it, and fortunately we were able to.
“We knew the calculations
of what we needed, and Diggers knew they still had a chance so we were both still playing for something.”
Willson said these stakes allowed for attacking cricket to be played, and he was proud of how his bowlers were able to respond, taking 17 wickets in the day.
“It was a big effort from our bowlers,” he said.
“We got to tea and thought we’d go another few overs to give them 20 overs to try and get a result.
“From this we can take a lot of confidence with the ball, knowing that we can bowl teams out.
“We still managed to score a few runs and a lot of the boys were able to get starts, it’s just a matter of being able to go on with it now.
“It was one of the best games of A-grade cricket that I’ve been involved in, and the first time I’ve had an outright win.
“To do it against a quality team like Diggers makes it special.”
University will face off with Metropoltan-Easts in this weekend’s semi-final, after they recovered from a hopeless position against Western Districts to claim a first innings win and take out second spot on the ladder.
The Trojans were 5/13 as they looked to chase down Wests’ first innings total of 119, before they were able to sustain partnerships and finish at 177.
Liam Brown’s 41 and 29 to Pieter van der Kooij helped to nullify four wickets apiece to Shaun McCarthy and Sam Neale.
Earlier in the day, Highfields was able to wrap up its encounter with Southern Districts with ease.
Souths were dismissed for just 56 in their second innings, giving Highfields-Railways a total of nine to chase down for an outright victory.
They were able to chase the total down inside five overs.
Cruelly for the Bulldogs, if their total to chase down was 20 runs more, they would’ve found themselves in the finals.
FINAL STANDINGS: 1. Wests 116.99, 2. Met-Easts 102.78, 3. University 87.81 4. Highfields 87.62, 5. Diggers 84.42, 6. Souths 44.14