“THAT was a grand final for us.”
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Centrals captain Jake Pauletto pulled no punches in his assessment of his team’s huge 114-run win over Kinross on Saturday.
“Our season could’ve been pretty much over if we lost that game,” he said.
“It was a huge win. We’ve got CYMS next week and we’d love to knock them off, and then roll Waratahs too. There is real potential for us to get three on the trot now.”
Pauletto said Saturday’s team effort is what the red and blacks have been working toward for some time.
“That’s the type of cricket we want to be, and need to be playing,” he said.
“Everyone chipped in, and everything came together for us.”
After losing the toss and being sent in, Centrals piled on 6-178 from its 40 overs.
Nick Dunlop (38) and George Olsen got their team off to a good start, with a 68-run opening stand.
“Having a foundation at the first drinks break, when we’re normally in trouble, was huge for us,” Pauletto said.
From there, the Centrals middle order continued where their openers left off. Mick Walker (40), Chris Hutchinson (19 not out) and Dean Turner (25) all got starts.
Kinross’s two Charlies, Cooper and Charlie Litchfield, were the pick of the students bowlers taking 2-17 and 2-27 respectively.
Steve O’Donnell then ripped through the Kinross top order, taking 4-20, as the two-blues were rolled for just 64.
Kinross coach Andrew Litchfield said his team was beaten by a better side on the day.
“Centrals played good cricket,” he said.
“We didn’t bowl badly at all, they just batted very, very well. Once we’d lost our openers early it was always going to be tough, and Centrals bowled well too.”