HE claimed seven wickets, he took two catches and he made a fighting 43 off 29 deliveries in his second knock, but even that sort of effort from Trent Copeland was not enough to save ACT-NSW Country.
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The team which the star Bathurst cricketer captained in this week's Cricket Australia's Second XI competition against Victoria suffered an outright defeat.
Given Copeland is a regular in the NSW Blue's Sheffield Shield outfit, this week's four-day match at Melbourne's Casey Fields was his first for ACT-NSW this season and eighth in total.
He was hoping to inspire the side to its second win of a tough 2019-20 campaign, and despite Copeland's best efforts it was not to be.
After Victoria won the toss and elected to bat first, it was Copeland who spearheaded the ACT-NSW bowling attack.
He claimed 5-60 off his 26.5 overs, of which 10 were maidens. It's the third time this season Copeland has taken five wickets in an innings.
But Victoria still batted its way to a handy 318-run total then dismissed ACT-NSW for 297 to take first innings honours.
In Victoria's second innings, Copeland picked up 2-45 off his 14 overs.
However, the hosts made 261 which left ACT-NSW needing 283 to avoid defeat. In the end they fell 43 short of that.
Arriving at the crease with his side in trouble at 6-68, Copeland fought hard, blasting eight boundaries and having another shot clear the rope. His 43 runs was part of a rally from the tail, but Victoria was good enough to close the match out.
Copeland's seven wickets for the match came at an average of 15 and he also had an impressive 2.57 economy rate across his 40.5 overs. He has now claimed 35 career wickets in the national second XI competition.