UNLESS Cavaliers produce an outright victory over CYMS next week, the green and golds’ five wicket win over Waratahs on Saturday has secured them the Orange District Cricket Association first grade minor premiership.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The win gives CYMS a six-point buffer from second-placed Cavaliers, meaning a Cavaliers first innings win will still leave the maroons one-point shy of taking top spot.
“It is a pretty massive achievement for us if we can stay there,” CYMS quick Chris Novak said.
“After what happened last season, and the off-season and the start of the year it will be huge.”
Waratahs skipper Adam Brakenridge won the toss and batted at Riawena, on a deck Novak said “you couldn’t tell apart from the outfield it was so green”, thanks to the recent rainfall.
Wickets fell steadily in the sky blues’ innings, with Novak and new-ball partner, finger-spinner Alan Dhatt both snaring four-wicket hauls.
Novak and Dhatt traded wickets, finishing with 4-10 and 4-15 respectively.
“It was great partnering up with Al. The spin and pace combination worked well on that pitch I thought,” Novak said.
“Personally it was good get back among the wickets a bit. I just tried to hit my lines and length, and let the pitch do the work for me.”
Leg-spinner Pat Madden (1-9) also picked up a scalp.
Brakenridge (13 not out) and Nick Frail (10) were the only Waratahs batsmen to pass double figures.
In reply, CYMS found out just how difficult batting was on the Riawena deck, slumping to 3-15, 4-26 and then 5-32 before Matt Baker (13 not out) and Hamish Finlayson (6 not out) steadied the ship and saw their team home.
After getting a sniff, Waratahs let themselves down, conceding 21 sundries in CYMS’ chase, while Brakenridge (1-18) and Jeffrey Chapman (4-18) worked hard with the new rock.
“Credit to Waratahs, they bowled well,” Novak said.
“[Brakenridge] bowled with good heat, and good movement, and Chapman did what we did. Tossed it up and let the deck do the work. You don’t want to lose those kind of wickets in that chase, but a few guys got a chance who might not normally bat and we got home.”
