By Jackson Russell
Ladder leaders Tallarook and Yea both failed to finish 2019 undefeated, suffering one-wicket losses in the final round of Seymour District Cricket Association action before the Christmas-New Year break.
After bowling Yea Tigers out for just 121 from 53 overs on day one and finishing the day at 1/49, Broadford was able to complete its run chase with just one wicket to spare.
After resuming his innings on 20 not out, opener Blair Hobba didn’t last too long into day two, falling for 24 with Broadford 2/51.
Braden Hickey went into day two sitting on 18 not out and was able to double his total before being dismissed caught behind by Ryan Akers off the bowling of Marc Steiner (5/52) for the second of his five wickets for the day at 4/73.
Liam Collier (9) and Cooper Mason (9) put together an 18-run partnership before Mason was also caught behind at 5/91.
Broadford lost their next four wickets for just 22 runs but Jack Connell (10*) and Lee McKenzie (3*) were able to hold onto their wickets for long enough to score the winning runs in the 57th over.
Broadford coach Greg Hobba said his side was fortunate to scrape over the line with nine wickets down.
“It gave us a good win but we really need to improve on the batting side and build partnerships rather than one or two players scoring runs,” he said.
“We’ve got a fair way to go to be competitive at the end of the season.
“To have a collapse and be nine down with 10 to get, made it a fairly nervous four or five overs.”
Broadford travels to Kilmore on Saturday while Yea hosts Tallarook in a top-of-the-table clash.
Kilmore finished 2019 on the right note with a one-wicket win over Seymour at Chittick Park thanks to some late innings heroics.
Kilmore started day two already under pressure, resuming play at 2/21 after Seymour declared at 9/178.
Three wickets fell quickly at the beginning of the day leaving Kilmore in trouble at 5/48.
The win looked out of reach for Kilmore when they fell to 8/98, but an unbeaten half-century from Ben Dawson and 39 from Brett Buttler as part of a 79-run ninth-wicket partnership put the visitors in prime position for the comeback victory.
At 9/177, Kilmore only need two runs to get the job done and Dawson guided his team to victory with the winning runs in the 58th over.
Eastern Hill upset the undefeated Tallarook by one-wicket for their first victory of the season despite facing a large total.
Daniel Bergowicz top-scored with 33 as Eastern Hill chased down the 204 runs in 73.4 overs.
Eastern Hill hosts Seymour this Saturday while Tallarook travels to Yea.
