Despite being out of contention to play a part in the final stanza of the season, City put on 153 led by a Joey Coughlan 72 at Wade Park on Friday night. 

Aditya Adey (35) recorded a 51-run opening stand with Coughlan, but three wickets fell in quick order after Matt Maybin dismissed Adey, with Mitch Black taking two quick wickets before Jay Cleary joined Coughlan to stabilise. 

He made 18 to send the visitors to 4-141 with four overs to go, but City’s wild swinging at the death went unrewarded as they finished with 7-153.  

Cavaliers started their chase in strong form as Ryan Kurtz (17) and Wayne Sellers put on 43 for the first wicket before Sellers and Wes Lummis combined to see the ladder-leading hosts reach 1-85 from 11 overs, but the side fell apart after marquee Oberon export Sellers was dismissed for 55.

Coughlan dismissed danger man Sellers before removing Lummis for 16 and big hitter Kaleb Cook for eight, with Josh Doherty (2) run out in the meantime. 

With the score at 5-96 skipper Matt Corben, batting at seven, tried to restore some credibility to the total with 12, but he and Hudson Izzard were also run out and Cavaliers collapsed from 1-85 to all-out for 116. 

Coughlan was the best of the bowlers with 3-22 from four over, while Cohen Schubert, Will Wright and John Rudge all took wickets, with three run-outs also playing a role in Cavaliers’ dismal collapse from the chase.

However, it doesn’t impact their standing at the top of their group, still two points ahead of their nearest threats Centennials Bulls.

Royal Hotel Cup semi-finals kick off on February 22, with the final on March 8.