IN the game of cricket it doesn’t get much closer than this; two balls to go, Aiden Ridley at the stumps, needing a total of four to claim the game for Saint Michaels on Friday afternoon.
First up, the Colts played out the entire 40 overs, ending on 9/163, setting a high target for St Michaels.
The lower order batsman had already upped the ante against the Kooringal Colts, increasing his run rate to reel in the game.
Ridley produced the goods in a blockbuster finish, hitting the boundary to secure four runs and ending not out on 25 runs.
Coach Ryan Forsyth praised Ridley for his confidence.
“It was pretty exciting, in the past we haven't won these types of games, it was good to see our lower order batsmen get it done,” Forsyth said.
Ridley redeemed the team from a couple of early blunders.
It was pretty exciting, in the past we haven't won these types of games, it was good to see our lower order batsmen get it done.
- Ryan Forsyth
Two top order batmen were dismissed for a duck, Kyle Buckley was caught out by Jeremy Bunn, and James Elliot was caught out by Dave Bolton.
Ryan Price also impressed, top scoring for Saint Michaels with 37.
“He was really composed in the middle order, his innings was super,” Forsyth said.
There were no fielding stand outs from the Saints; just a solid team effort.
“They got off to a really quick start but we were able to restrict them,” Forsyth said.
“We’ve got a number of bowlers we can rely on.”
The team performance was real confidence builder for St Michaels.
Kooringal’s Dave Bolton proved a real challenge, lasting two hours on the pitch, hitting 11 fours, and top scoring with 65 runs.
In form Bolton gave Wagga City a serving last week, coming away with 58 runs.
Though, in beating the Colts they claimed a victory over last year’s premiers, Forsyth doesn’t want to get too far ahead of himself.
“You really don’t know where you’re at ‘till you play each team, even then, there are surprises, the Colts showed that coming into the finals last year,” he said.
The Friday afternoon match at Robertson Oval was held in recognition of club stalwarts Colts’ Neville Jolliffe and Saints’ Eric Koetz.
Teams were vying for the Koetz-Jolliffe Cup, named after the clubs’ match record holders.
“It’s a fantastic way of acknowledging two fellas who have contributed a lot to each club and Wagga cricket,” Forsyth said.
