TALLANGATTA captain Mat Armstrong ensured his team’s top-of-the-table clash against Wodonga would go down to the wire after making a superb century at Rowen Park on Saturday.
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With the Bushies in trouble at 3-47, Armstrong stepped up to the plate, with his 117 enabling the home team to post a competitive 9-267 off 80 overs.
Bulldog skipper Robbie Jackson believes the match remains in the balance.
“A lot of bowlers can be intimated at Tallangatta by the wicket and outfield, but I thought we stuck to our plans fairly well,” Jackson said.
“Mat Armstrong batted really well and was involved in a couple of good partnerships and I’d say the match is fairly evenly poised.
“We will need to bat well and hopefully we have learnt from previous run chases.
“It’s a good finals-type game between the top two teams.”
Wodonga quicks Byron Hales and James Saker kept the pressure on Tallangatta early, with Saker grabbing the key wickets of Torquil McKillop (2) and Andrew Lade (7).
But Armstrong rallied his troops, with Fraser Bremner (32) and Steve Wood (36) offering support to allow the Bushies to bat out their overs.
“Both sides probably had the momentum with them at different stages and it ended up fairly even,” Armstrong said.
“It was good to hit a few in the middle and be involved in a couple of partnerships.”
Saker, Hales and James Tonkin finished with two wickets each for Wodonga.
Belvoir holds the upper hand after making 271 against New City at Kelly Park.
The Eagles turned in one of their most consistent batting performances of the season, with recruit Drew Cameron leading the way at the top of the order with 64.
Nat Sariman (54), Mick Russell (30), Zac Simmonds (30) and Mick Spiteri (30) also kept the runs flowing.
New City’s young attack persisted with emerging spinner Callum Langlands taking 4-74.
The Phoenix resume at 0-3.
St Patrick’s smashed 100 runs off the last 15 overs to post 8-283 against North Albury at Bunton Park.
Braedon Hensel provided the platform at the top of the order with 79 before Kane Arendarcikas hammered 49no late.