City Colts go close to an outright success over Centennials Bulls

Colts took the Bathurst District Cricket Association first grade match to a fourth innings and activated 'all guns blazing mode' as they tried to chase 91 runs in the space of eight overs.

Another big-hitting knock of 42 not out from Jaden Ekert wasn't enough to get Colts there but the club were happy to come away with a swath of bonus points at a critical part of the season.

Earlier in the day Colts caught the Bulls total of 146 while five wickets down, with Wayne Sellers (25) and Oliver Shoemark (26 not out) at the crease.

Colts batted on until they were all removed for 182. Ekert (43) and Dan Casey (41) top scored.

Bulls bowlers Kurt Toole (4-49) and Tim Ryan (3-13) didn't make the going easy for Colts.

The outright victory became an outside possibility for Colts when they bowled Bulls all out for 126 in their second innings.

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Dallas Tilley (43) and Toole (31) provided resistance towards the top of the order but the spin bowling combination of Casey (4-5) and Pat Hill (3-44) wreaked havoc on a deck offering turn and variable bounce.

Colts captain Matt Stephen said Casey isn't likely to make his leg spinners a regular feature on Saturday afternoons.

"I'd say that's going to be a one-off spell," he laughed.

"He's bowled them pretty well in the nets, same with Pat, and they really made the most of the opportunity to bowl. It was great.

"It was just one of those days where you took a look at the pitch and thought it might be conducive to a bit of spin and, if not, a bit of low bounce.

"[Centennials] seemed to be playing the seamers easily so that's why we went in that direction.

"We were always going to go with Pat after his last spell of bowling, which was pretty impressive, and I thought I might chuck Daniel in there and see what happens."

The victory has secured Colts a place in this season's finals series but their final position could be anywhere inside the top three depending on results in the last round.