North Albury opener Ash Borella says he hasn’t fallen victim to the nervous nineties.
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Borella fell just short of a century for the third time this season, posting 95 against New City.
“I’m definitely not happy getting another 90,” he said.
He was then quizzed if he was tightening up with the milestone in sight.
I’m definitely not happy getting another 90 ... the three times I’ve got out have just been a loose shot.
- Ash Borella
“No, not really, just a dumb shot really, the three times I’ve got out have just been a loose shot,” he said.
Most players would love Borella’s dilemma.
He had a golden run pre-Christmas, posting 92 against East Albury, 108 not out against Tallangatta, and then hit 90 against Belvoir.
He’s now the competition’s leading run-scorer, with 513 at 51.30.
North retained its lead, becoming the first club to pass 300 this season.
“Obviously we had 200 to chase, so once we got that the plan was to bat the overs out, and give the guys down the order a crack,” Borella said.
“Probably the most pleasing part was the partnerships, we didn’t lose the double wickets.
“When the new batsman walked in they were able to play their role.”
Apart from Borella’s half-century, Greg Daniel chipped in with 61, while Tom Hemsley struck 44 in the total of 347.
Meanwhile, East Albury’s Cameron White has jumped to second on the wicket-taker’s list.
“When he was bowling to me he was cutting me in half, I was like ‘wow, this bloke is on today’, he bowled out of his skin, he was unlucky not to have a few more,” Belvoir coach Josh Warren said.
The representative quick took 5-37 and now has 29 scalps at 16.
Belvoir captain Matt Jaensch remains on top with 32 wickets.
The Eagles started the day on 0-31, but gave no thought to an outright win.
“To be realistic, we wanted to bat the whole day because in a final we’re going to have to bat 80 overs to win,” Warren said.
The club’s leading run-scorer Drew Cameron made a patient 47 from 119 deliveries.
“It was probably one of the best 47’s I’ve ever seen,” Warren said.
“It was an innings of grit and pure class really.”
In an interesting sidelight, Warren was delighted with the umpiring.
“It was probably the best I’ve been a part of for quite a while in CAW,” he said
“(Peter) Bridle and Raj (Kapor) were very, very good.
“I’m not there to suck (up) to the umpires, there were no bad decisions, they did a really good job.”
