JOBLINK Plus produced arguaby the best run chase the McDonald’s Tamworth Premier League has ever seen last night but it wasn’t enough to knock nearest challengers Locomotive Hotel out of the final next week.
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Dean Hoy became the first player to hit a century in the TPL when he teed off for Loco at Dick Edwards Oval in what became a bit of a record-breaking game.
His 103 bettered the previous best of 98 not out by Joblink skipper Adam Jones from a few years ago and set up a big total of 179 for Loco.
Initially, scorers had Hoy on 97 when he departed but, after a recount, one of his six sixes was added to his total.
Loco captain Michael Rixon added 35 in an opening partnership of 105 with Hoy, but it wasn’t enough in the end.
Joblink showed it was a deserving minor premier in the competition with a great run chase and a two-wicket win with five balls to spare.
Scott De Weymarn led the way with 44 at the top of the dig but Joblink was still behind the required rate until Jade Thompson came in and smashed four sixes in one 29-run over to turn the game.
“It’s a phenomenal chase,” Jones said.
“We changed the order a bit and gave a few blokes a go who hadn’t had much of a chance during the season.
“They did a great job, guys like Scotty at the top of the order and then Thommo at number seven.
“He gave us a chance when we probably didn’t have one.
“That over changed the game.”
Kris Halloran also made 24 and Layne Berry was not out on 17 and was there for the winning runs.
The same sides will meet in the final next Friday under lights at No.1 Oval where Loco will have to score its first win over Joblink to take the title.
Fortunately it has the strikepower to do it, with leading run-scorer Hoy in the side.
“Dean has been good for us,” Rixon said.
“Hopefully he will come off next week.
“They probably have an edge in the batting, but we have an edge in the bowling and fielding if we are switched on.”
Going into the game, Loco could have still missed the final.
But for that to happen, Halpin’s Plumbing needed to beat McDonald’s and hit a mountain of sixes at Riverside 2.
It failed on both counts as Maccas won a close game by five runs.
Aaron Hazlewood smashed 69 for Maccas and Sam McHugh then took three wickets to give the team in red its second win of the tournament.
Those two teams will now play off for third next week.