WANGARATTA were behind the eight-ball early on against their clash with Central Gippsland at the Country Week on Thursday.
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Sent in to bat on a hard Windy Hill wicket, Wangaratta got away a solid start, before hitting a brick wall at 2/54.
Before they knew it, they were in dire straights at 6/80.
Josh Newton weathered the storm though, and got them out of trouble with a classy knock of 41.
Newton’s efforts helped the side set a benchmark of 150 after 50 overs, with Jack Ryan contributing a handy 34-run stand as well.
The looping off-spin of Central Gippsland’s Riyaz Pathan troubled the visitors, and the wily international ultimately claimed four wickets.
Things were looking good for Central Gippsland in the early stages of their run chase, overcoming the loss of an early wicket to race to 1/48 from 16 overs.
Wangaratta were able to turn the tables though, with direct hits evening the contest up at 3/62.
They had all the momentum after that, with the Gippsland wickets tumbling through Brad Melville.
Tight bowling forced them onto the back foot, ultimately needing 17 runs from the final two overs to win the match.
It proved too much, with Wangaratta snaring a memorable 12-run win.
Dylan Landgren opened the bowling and also closed the game, claiming the winning wicket.
Another workmanlike performance from Kent Braden (2/32) personified the effort in the field, while young gun Melville claimed four wickets late in the innings.
Team manager Trevor Saker said it was a match the exemplified exactly what cricket was about.
“We didn't think it'd go down the the last over the way it did,” he said.
“We knew we'd have to get wickets, and those two run-outs were the deciding factor.
“This is a good, tight group of young players who have absolutely busted their gut this week.
“Putting that pressure on them in the field was so important.
“All our wins so far have been pretty tough, and this was no exception.
“It goes to show that you'll have success if you're able to bow a consistent line and length, that's what got us over the line.”
Wangaratta are now through to the final of the Melbourne Country Week against West Gippsland at the Preston City Oval.