Mittagong had to work hard for their win over Bowral United in their 3rd grade HDCA clash at the weekend, losing six wickets in chasing United's score of 128.
Although the win was comfortable enough in the end, there were a couple of anxious moments when another wicket or two in Mittagong's innings would have made things interesting.
Unfortunately Bowral found the going tough on a slow outfield when they elected to bat on winning the toss and runs came all too slowly. In addition the early loss of wickets left Bowral at 4 for 14 and George Lunt and skipper Greg Cruger had little choice but to consolidate.
Their efforts to push the score along were hampered by some good tight bowling from evergreen Greg Garnam and the reliable Daniel Talbot which restricted the score to 26 from 20 overs at drinks.
Lunt and Cruger sensed the need for a more aggressive approach after the break and took the score to 56 before Lunt was LBW to Rod Callaghan for a solid 28. Cruger was joined by Ajay Jain who slogged well through mid wicket to make 33 before being bowled by Ean Downie.
Cruger was out soon after for a good captain's knock of 32 and when 40 overs were up, Bowral had made a good fist of their second 20 overs to reach 128 for the loss of eight wickets.
Garnam finished with 2 for 5 from his eight overs and Talbot 2 for 15. Youngsters Downie and Luke Stalling were tried but need to take a leaf out of Garnam's line and length manual as they are just far too expensive, going for 6 and 7 an over.
Callaghan was tight early in his spell and skipper Peter Cornwell bowled by example, conceding just 14 from his 8 overs. However he must be hoping for better back up from his young support bowlers in the tough games ahead.
Mittagong opened its innings confidently with Peter Angel timing the ball well and Chris Staling mixing solid defence with aggressive shots.
Just when they seemed to be getting on top, Dirk Jol came on as first change and slowed the tempo with his left armers, picking up Angel for 13 and Stalling for 16 in successive overs to leave Mittagong at 2 for 45.
Downie slammed 13 before being well caught at mid wicket (where else?!) by Jain and when Steven Fairbairn suffered a rare failure Mittagong were 4 for 61 at drinks.
Cornwell came and went soon after the break, run out attempting a second, and at 5 for 70 Mittagong looked shaky and United saw a glimmer of hope. However Garnam looked in good touch and with Talbot a willing partner in some daredevil running between wickets, they turned the innings around putting together 54 for the 6th wicket.
With victory in sight, Talbot was stumped coming down the track to Jain for a well struck 31. Leading rungetter Paul Jones came in at eight and helped Garnam, who remained not out on 28, pass the United score in the 32nd over.
Bowral's bowlers could be considered a little unlucky as the ball frequently sailed over the heads of fielders or landed between them. Veteran David Wood was one who went unrewarded for eight tidy overs while James Cruger bowled some good deliveries in his spell of 6 overs, conceding 19 runs. Jol had the best figures with 4 for 18 from 8 overs.
The United team is now apparently out of the running for the semi finals while Mittagong consolidated its position at the top of the ladder with two rounds left to play.
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