HE produced one of the best bowling performances of the 2017-18 Sheffield Shield season, but Trent Copeland’s nine-wicket haul was not enough to see his New South Wales Blues finish their campaign with a win.
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The Blues went into the final round match against competition leaders Queensland at Wollongong’s North Dalton Park knowing they were not a chance of making the finals.
But the Blues still wanted to go out on a positive note and Bathurst talent Copeland certainly gave his side a shot at that.
He took match figures of 9-168 off 68.3 overs – the seventh best performance by a bowler this shield season - with his 5-74 in the first innings giving the Blues hope of an upset.
NSW dismissed Queensland for 243 then made 402 in reply. But the visitors lifted to score 9-438 declared in their second dig, leaving the Blues to hit 280 in 52 overs on Saturday to claim the win.
In the end NSW was all out for 243 with just over five overs remaining until stumps, Queensland winning by 36 runs.
Copeland’s effort – which also included 4-94 off 39.3 overs in the second innings – drew praise from team-mate Peter Nevill.
“He was very, very close to going … a little treble of five-fors in the last three innings, so he’s certainly finished the season really well and has been a fantastic bowler for us throughout the whole season,” Nevill said.