In a nail-biting finish, Wallan was bowled out for 206, tying its two-day Johnstone Shield match against Sunbury United.
As coach Chris Vecchie warned after day one, Wallan wasn’t able to bat out its 75 overs and was bowled out after 69.3 overs.
The Magpies started strong with opener Ryan Cumberland and captain Brad Regan rallying from an early wicket for a 63-run second-wicket partnership before Regan was dismissed for 23.
Cumberland was run out from a direct hit for 91 from 109 balls, with Wallan looking good at 4/133.
Two more quick wickets followed but Wallan was still in control at 6/151.
Joel Glider (25) and Jai Weshal (33) put together a 45-run partnership before Glider was dismissed at 7/196.
Wallan only needed another 11 runs but the Magpies’ tailenders weren’t able to keep themselves at the crease long enough and were bowled out for 206.
Wallan coach Chris Vecchie said it was the first tie he’d ever been involved in.
“It was a pretty weird feeling after the game. You sit around and go, ‘What just happened’,” he said.
“Our initial thoughts were of disappointment because we lost 4/10 at the end but then when we reflected, we thought at least we’re coming out of it with some points.”
Vecchie said his side was still able to take some positives out of the tie.
“There were some positives to take out of it, we batted for the longest we have all year and it was our second highest total for the year,” he said.
“Ryan had a great knock, he was awesome and didn’t look like going out until he was run out off a direct hit. It was unlucky for him to not get his just reward of a century.
“Young Lachie Shinn-Mahony, he’s a 14-year-old playing his second game in the ones and he had a really good partnership with Ryan and made 20.”
Wallan finishes 2019 with a Twenty20 against East Sunbury on Saturday.
