“THOSE losses early in the year have cost us.”
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Despite defeating Centrals by three wickets in a low scoring encounter on Saturday, Orange City skipper Matt Findlay was left to lament what could have been.
Having lost to CYMS and Cavaliers early in the season, the Warriors finished the limited overs round robin stage on 65 points, equal with Cavaliers.
Cavaliers held a small lead on quotient going into last weekend, before demolishing CYMS by eight wickets on Saturday, effectively eliminating any chance City had of qualifying for this weekend’s limited overs final.
Findlay said missing the final was disappointing, but he was focusing on the positives.
“It would have been great to get another crack at CYMS,” he said.
“But we got the win. The points are important for the end of season tally, so that is the main thing. We’ve lost two games, and that’s our sixth win on the trot. Missing the final is disappointing, but our position is pretty strong at the moment.“
After winning the toss and batting first on Saturday, Centrals battled its way to 6-115.
Max Dodds top scored for the red and blacks with 25 not out, with Chris Hutchinson (20) and George Olsen (20) chipping in.
Jackson Coote was the pick of the City bowlers, snaring 2-13.
In reply Dan Sandford (4-15) tore through the Warriors’ middle order, but it wasn’t enough as City passed the required total seven down with one over to spare.
“Both sides bowled well, but the pitch was slow and very tough to score on,” Findlay said.
“115 was worth about 200. But credit to our bowlers, they hit their lines and stayed patient.”
Centrals skipper Adam Shepherd was diplomatic after the game and said, despite the loss, his team’s performance was encouraging.
“We’re improving, that’s all you can ask for,” he said.
“We batted the 40 overs and applied ourselves much better, and put together a few little partnerships here and there.
“All three quicks bowled well, especially Sang (Sandford), but we were 10 or 15 runs short in the end.”