Belvoir snatched a stunning tie from the jaws of defeat on Saturday.
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Grand final fancies Wodonga started the second last over on 9-153, needing just one run for victory.
Paceman Cameron McCormack bowled a maiden to Leo McGhee and then Byron Hales didn’t score off the first ball of teenager Lachie McMillan’s over.
The off-spinner then enticed the experienced premiership quick to move his back foot slightly and classy wicketkeeper Nat Sariman produced an outstanding stumping.
“It was a weird feeling at the end, I’d say they felt like they’d lost it and we’d won it,” Belvoir captain Zac Simmonds said.
McMillan’s effort was even more meritorious considering he’d bowled only four overs after opening the attack.
“We just said to him there’s no pressure because it was just a case if they got bat on ball we were done,” Simmonds said.
Even so, McMillan’s ability to shut out the natural internal pressure associated with trying to save the game was a mark of his maturity.
“His bowling has come on a long way in the last 18 months and we’ve got a lot of faith in him, he’s becoming a really good off-spinner,” Simmonds said.
The Eagles were dismissed for 153 from 48.2 overs.
Drew Cameron, who’s moved to opener in the past month, compiled a patient 62 from 108 deliveries, including seven boundaries.
The left-hander combined in a 77-run stand for the second wicket with Sariman (32).
The Eagles were cruising at 2-116, but lost 4-7.
Former ACT-NSW Canberra Comets’ speedster Cam Suidgeest continued his strong recent form, snaring 3-22.
He’s now snared eight wickets in the past three games after taking eight previously.
Belvoir ripped through stars Tom Johnson (10) and Jack Craig (13) and had the home team teetering at 7-88.
However, the club’s other star bat Robbie Jackson was still there and combined with youngster Caleb Matchan in a 48-run stand.
“Caleb batted really well, he obviously had a really good mentor (in Jackson), he was talking to him every ball,” Simmonds said.
Matchan made six from 53 balls.
Wodonga was still favourites, but when the miserly McCormack (1-9 from eight) dismissed Jackson for his highest score of the season – 89 – the situation changed.
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