Paynesville have scored a thrilling win in the final over against Wy Yung at AJ Freeman Reserve in round four of the Bairnsdale Cricket Association “A” grade season.
The Gulls needed 33 off the final five overs, with three wickets in hard, and got the job done with five balls to spare, jumping into third place on the ladder, with two wins and a loss thus far.
The hero was the big hitting Rod Clack, who hit four sixes in that time, helping himself to 35 from just 17 balls, combining with Mitch Wilmott (12 from 19), for an unbroken 46 run partnership, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
When Clack hit three sizes in the 41st over off Sean Phillipson (1/63), victory looked likely, but a maiden over from Damian Vicary (1/39) and another that cost just two, kept the Tigers in the match, but 12 runs off seven deliveries from Ben Saxon saw the Gulls home.
Earlier Nathan Schoultz (78), Noah Bennett (19) and Aaron Cameron (28) worked hard to keep the home side on track to chase down Wy Yung’s 7/192.
They looked to be cruising to victory at 3/144, but when Schoultz departed trying to punish a wide delivery, they lost 4/5, slumping to 7/149.
The major wicket takers for the Tigers were slow bowlers Guribal Singh (2/46) and Charlie Thompson (2/19).
In Wy Yung’s innings, Ray Stevens topped scored with 52 not out, while Ben Channing (40), Singh (33) and Cameron McPhan (28) all got starts but could furnish their efforts into a big score.
Wilmott (2/17) was the most impressive of the Paynesville bowlers, while Schoultz finished with 2/53, the only other multiple wicket taker.
Paynesville will head to Nagle College on Saturday as favourites against a struggling St Mary’s Nagle, who will be hoping for a Brayden McCarrey masterclass to see them score enough runs for a much needed first win of the season.
The Tigers certainly aren’t impressing like they did after Christmas last season, they will be looking to turn their form around this week when they host Orbost, who are playing in outstanding form and with great confidence.
