Hannelly leads CYMS to cusp of victory as Litchfield, Leulf draw praise | Photos

Hugh Le Lievre (3-17 off 10 overs) took two wickets in his first five overs and skipper Chris Novak (2-24 off 14) also struck to remove Max Powell for three to leave Kinross on the ropes early.

The students were 5-54 after their opening 20 overs but a 47-run stand between opener Luelf (43) and young gun Phoebe Litchfield who hit 28 fresh off Australian selection. 

George Cumming added an a quickfire 16 not out at number 10 to help push the students to 138 all-out from 51 overs. 

However, CYMS started slowly in reply as Adam Smith fell in the third over for eight only to be joined in the sheds by Tom West (7) and Tom Belmonte (6) a short time afterwards, leaving CYMS precariously placed at 3-44 in the chase.

Mitch Winslade came in to score 11 and steady the ship in a 18-run stand with opener Mick Hannelly, who anchored CYMS innnings. 

Hannelly was unbeaten on 51 at stumps alongside Hugh Le Lievre (four not out) with his hard-fought half-century containing seven boundaries. 

Charlie Greer did the damage with the ball with 2-13, dismissing Winslade and Belmonte, while Ed Taylor and Hugh McIntyre also picked up a wicket each. 

Kinross coach Ben Ronald said despite only needing another 46 runs to win, he said he wasn't ruling out an unlikely victory. 

“I know CYMS are close but if we can take two quick wickets early next week – and Riawena has a reputation for doing a little early, I reckon we might be able to get stuck into their tail order,” he said. 

“It was great to see Will hit some runs, he’s been unlucky all season and he batted well with Phoebe.”

He noted the pair clipped along at nearly a run a ball while they were in form, with crafty captaincy from Chris Novak proving Litchfield’s undoing after she glided one to first slip. 

Novak said she looked technically the best batter of either side and batted “phenomenally”. 

“For a 15-year-old girl to come out and bat as well as she did against men bowling quickly, she’s a fantastic prospect,” he said. 

Novak said he was “pretty happy” with the strong position his side found itself in, but said he wasn’t planning to hit out in order to chase the total quickly to chase outright victory. 

“The plan is to grab the first innings points and see what happens, there’s 80 overs left and a lot can happen then.” 

He also lauded the batting of Mick Hannelly to stabilise at the top of the order.

A win for CYMS would put them back in contention for a top two spot, with the green and golds 10 points behind ladder-leaders Cavaliers and Orange City, the latter of which have the bye this week.