After losing three quick wickets and sitting at 3-27, the number four and five batsman, Adam Ryan and Connor Slattery respectively, dug in and knocked 56 and 63 respectively, to set St Pat’s up with a solid score heading into the second day of play next Saturday. 

St Pat’s skipper Adam Ryan said he was pleased with his team’s performance, hoping for another 20 to 30 runs on the second day of play. 

“We were 3-27 early, so we really needed to dig in and show some resistance,” he said. 

“Fortunate enough, Connor [Slattery] and myself did that. We batted for 40 overs and got 100 runs, so we were going pretty slow but we kept taking the shine off the ball and wearing them down. 

“Lucky enough the boys chipped in at the end with a few runs to add to the tally.

“I think we’re not too far away. I’d like to push on to about 260. Then we’ll head and try and bowl them out.”

Ryan also braised Connor Slattery’s batting performance.

“Connor batted superbly, I don’t think he gave a chance all game,” Ryan explained. 

“He’s just so patience, he waited for the bad balls and capitalised. I think we hit four or five sixes. It was very good batting.” 

Mitch Taylor also performed well with the bat, knocking 36 not out.

Redbacks skipper Joey Coughlan said the games in the balance.

“Adam Ryan and Connor Slattery batted well and Mitch Taylor hit out at the end,” he said.

“We got through 80 overs, so 2.9 run rate. It’s probably in the balance, but if the pitch is the same next week I’m confident we can roll the next three wickets early and get stuck into chasing a below par score.

“I think you should be getting 280 to 300 to win here at Scots.” 

When play continues next Saturday, February 2, St Pat’s will resume with the bat. 

A win for St Pat’s could give them top spot, while a win for Redbacks will keep them in the mix to finish the regular season as minor premiers.