Bathurst City have kept its play-off hopes alive, after chasing down Centennials Bulls in Bathurst District Cricket Association first grade on Saturday.
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On what was meant to be the second day of a two-day game, it was actually the only day of action after the rain prevented players getting onto the field on day one.
And Redbacks vital three-wicket win came after chasing down Bulls’ 179.
Redbacks skipper Campbell Baker, who was filling in for an absent Joey Coughlan, said he was happy to get the win.
“It was a pretty good performance by the boys,” he said.
“I was very happy to get the win, especially as it was my first game as captain.”
Redbacks won the toss and sent Centennials in to bat.
Bulls, who sit in last position in first grade after a difficult 2018-19 campaign, lost early wickets through Andrew Brown (12 runs) and Ryan Gurney (a duck) and were sitting at 2-16.
I was very happy to get the win, especially my first game as captain.
- Bathurst City stand-in captain Campbell Baker
The next wicket didn’t fall until Dallas Tilly was dismissed for 18 and Bulls were at 3-44.
James Leven and Percy Raveneau came in at number five and six and scored scored the highest and second-highest score for Bulls respectively.
Leven was the fifth wicket to fall and by the time Raveneau was caught out, Bulls were at 6-151.
But the wickets quickly fell and Bulls were all out with 179 runs.
Things were looking nervy for Redbacks when their first three batsman – Ben Orme (14 runs), Jay Cleary (five runs) and Mark Day (17 runs) – were dismissed and the side was at 3-47.
But up stepped Northern Irish important Aditya Adey, hitting a match-high 73 runs at number four.
He was dismissed with Redbacks at 5-162, needing just 18 more runs to win.
They lost just two more wickets on the way to victory, Redbacks finishing with 7-183 to claim the win against the struggling Bulls.
“Aditya batted really well, getting us the win,” Baker said.
“We’re looking to take this momentum into next week and secure a place in the finals.
“We’re hoping to have a full strength side next game.”
The wickets were shared around by four Redbacks bowlers: Clint Moxon (2-32 off eight)), Willie Wright (1-45 off eight)), Dean Rice (2-19 off eight) and Adey (2-33 off eight).
“Clint Moxon and Dean Rice put us on the front foot with the ball,” Baker said.
Bulls also shared the wickets between four bowlers: Ryan Gurney (1-19 off eight), Chris Redding (3-35 off eight), Kurt Toole (1-23 off three) and Mick Hutchinson (2-26 off six).
In Round 14 action, Redbacks are set to feature in a massive game against Rugby Union, while Bulls take on City Colts.