But, Centrals did just that on Saturday against Cavaliers at Wade Park.

Despite a valiant chase from the last placed red and blacks, they were unable to run down Cavaliers’ massive total of 7-306.

“It was a credit to Centrals, they came out and really chased hard from the start,” Cavaliers skipper Stu Middleton said.

“Not all the teams in our competition would do that, but they really stuck it to us. Even toward the end (the required run rate) was still around a run a ball, up until a bit after the second drinks break.

“Once we picked up a couple of key wickets they slowed down and couldn’t quite get there.”

After winning the toss and batting on a flat deck, and dry outfield, Middleton took the Centrals attack - one of the better pace units in Orange - apart.

After being dropped on 27 off the bowling of youngster Josh Coyte, Middleton thrashed the red and blacks’ bowlers to all corners of Wade Park before eventually being dismissed for 145.

Along with Matt Corben (36), Luke Wilson (39 not out) and TJ Cunynghame (31 not out), Middleton helped his side to the mammoth total - the biggest so far in 2014-15.

“The guys at the end batted really well,” Middleton said.

“TJ and Lukey pushed the accelerator well in the last five or six overs, and pushed us up to a really good score.”

Cunynghame then showed his all-round ability in Centrals’ chase, snaring 4-41 to be the pick of Cavaliers’ bowlers.

Despite taking some stick early, Chris Martin also got amongst the wickets, taking 4-45.

Dean Turner (46) and George Olsen (20) signalled their intentions early, adding 71 for the first wicket in just 12 overs, and Nick Dunlop continued the attacking trend from number three.

For some time it looked as though Dunlop (67) would lead his side to an unlikely victory having added 96 for the fourth wicket with Max Dodds (40), before the former was bowled by Martin.

From there, regular wickets fell, quashing any chance of a fairy tale Centrals win.

The win puts Cavaliers on top of the overall ODCA table, and second on the Limited Overs Cup ladder - behind Orange City.