AFTER SIX overs of its Upper Loddon semi-final clash with Wedderburn Band, Boort Yando was marooned on 2-1, with Adam Postle and Will Holt in total control with the ball.
The Magpies batsmen couldn’t hit the ball off the square, their unfamiliarity with the turf wicket at Market Square plain to see.
But James Byrne and Fergus Bear knuckled down to the task and added 26 runs, and then Jarrod Hodoras joined Byrne and put on another 32-run partnership.
At 3-61 off 23 overs a competitive total was in prospect, and even after Byrne fell for 30, Hodoras (33) and Harry Weaver nudged the score along to 84.
Then came an all-too-familiar collapse, with the Magpies losing 6-14 to be all out for 98.
Spinner Danny Benaim caused most of the late-order havoc, taking 4-11 from five overs, while Will Holt’s 3-15 from eight overs included five maidens.
Postle battled through back soreness to collect 2-13 from his eight overs.
Clearly, Boort Yando needed quick wickets – and plenty of them.
Opener Finn Turnbull made a duck, but remarkably he was half of a 36-run opening partnership with Brad Holt, who went on to make 41 before he was out with the score on 69.
Isaac Holt (25 not out with five fours) and Will Holt (seven not out) took the Band past the Magpies’ total with 19 overs to spare.
Captain Will even tried a party trick with the last ball of the innings, unsuccessfully attempting a switch hit as the clash limped to its end.
Hodoras took 2-28 in a strong all-round performance, while skipper Brian Minogue captured the other wicket to fall.
- GARY WALSH