St Albans/Breakwater captain Damien Biemans is hoping his side can upset a few of the teams vying for GCA4 finals in the final three rounds of the season.
The Supersaints won’t play finals themselves, but had a good win against a gusty Teesdale in round 18 on Saturday 14 February and meet Guild St Mary’s (5th) and Manifold Heights (4th) in the next two weeks before finishing off against second placed Little River.
“There will be a couple of blokes that come back in this week – our opening batter Saurabh (Vaghela) was unavailable,” Biemans said.
“Guild (St Mary’s) like to hit the ball, so if you get it wrong against them – I think they made like 300 against us there last time and then Manifold Heights are fighting for that fourth spot.
“We can shape it (the final four). I said yesterday to the boys just before the game that we have a few games left and just go out there, enjoy ourselves and I reckon we can upset a couple of teams.”
The round 17 clash against Teesdale was hard-fought with the Roos electing to bat first at St Albans Reserve. Several batters got starts, including Marcus Campbell (33), but Biemans was happy to have Teesdale back in the sheds for 162.
James Kelly started it off for the Supersaints, holding onto a catch presented by star opener Casey Meehan for 9.
“That got us up and about,” Biemans said.
“Casey is one of the best bats in the league, so to get him early was a bonus.”
Jack Ryan took three wickets and his second spell was rewarded while fellow new-ball bowler Matthew Mott was tidy.
But it was the combination of spinner Ryan Mallon (1/20 from nine overs) and Biemans himself (4/34 from nine) that really put the brakes on.
“Myself and Ryan came on and slowed it down a bit and got a couple of wickets,” Biemans said.
“After drinks was good – the boys were up and about. It was past players’ day so that gave the boys a bit of a lift.”
Chasing down 163 for victory wasn’t straightforward. Mallon capped off a good game with 27 at the top of the order and at 1/64, things were going well.
Shaun Campbell (2/19 from eight overs) and Marcus Campbell (2/17 from eight) got Teesdale back into the game, and at 7/135 there was still plenty of work to do for St Albans/Breakwater.
But while James Kelly was still there, the Supersaints were always a chance and he would finish unbeaten on 54 to give his side a win with two wickets and four overs to spare.
“It was probably one of the best innings this season, apart from when Blainy (Michael Blain) made a hundred (in round 2),” Biemans said.
“Just the way he went about it. Worked with the tail and hit a few boundaries. He’s not a big hitter, but he just waited for the bad ball and put it away and then worked well with the tail.”
Although No 9 Ben McDonald didn’t trouble the scorers, he hung around long enough with Kelly to make an impact and the team over the line.
NEWCOMB & District kept top spot on the ladder after a pulsating contest against Meredith.
The Dinos made 8/228 with the top eight batters all making at least 16, led by Cam Egan (40 from 33 deliveries) and Rhys Bath (37).
Rams’ skipper Tyler Dittloff kicked off what was to become a memorable afternoon with 3/47 before launching an incredible counterattack with the bat.
Dittloff was there at the end on 126 from 122 balls, but Meredith fell 13 runs short, finishing on 9/216 after 45 overs. The Rams were 9/162, but No 11 Joel Hart wasn’t giving up, staying with Dittloff for a well-made 19 not out from 20 balls. Egan and Blake Ritchie each grabbed three wickets for Newcomb & District.
LITTLE River remained half a game behind Newcomb & District after thrashing Guild St Mary’s.
Nic Fairchild made a run a ball 88 for the Redbacks in a total of 9/213 while skidding seamer Mitch Vicary picked up 5/57 to make it 27 wickets for the season.
The Guild Saints never got going during their run chase being all out for 139 with Fairchild capping off a three-vote performance with 5/16.
