JOBLINK Plus may have started this year’s McDonald’s Tamworth Premier League with a loss but that seems like a long time ago.
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Since then the side has won four in a row and is the first team to qualify for the final to be played in two weeks.
Friday’s convincing win over McDonald’s at Riverside 2 showed off Joblink’s deep batting lineup, with numbers five and seven doing most of the damage.
The top order has been in fine form during the winning streak but this time only opener James Psarakis got going.
He made 33 from 22 balls and Joblink was 4-59 at one stage.
Number five Kris Halloran and number seven Jamie Hammond came together to rescue the dig and turn it into a good one.
Halloran was 38 not out at the end while Hammond hit an unbeaten 41 from 30 balls.
“Very pleasing,” captain Adam Jones said.
“On this ground, 150 is about a par total.
“Jamie Hammond and Kris Halloran batted well.
“We were in a bit of strife.
“It wasn’t too good but those two boys kept their heads down and got us to a defendable total and it proved to be enough.”
The total was 5-150 and it certainly was enough.
Maccas never looked like chasing it as Greg Kellett spun four batsmen out.
He finished with 4-12 from his four overs as Maccas slumped to 5-27.
Nigel Parkinson helped out with 2-20 before Hammond came into the attack and completed his impressive game with a miserly 2-7 from his four overs.
Charlie Kelly’s 18 not out was the top score and Maccas was all out for 66.
Jones is used to seing what Kellett can do for his club side Bective East, but Hammond’s 2-7 also impressed him.
“That’s phenomenal,” Jones said.
“He was knackered when we went out too so we took the new ball off him.
“He was just as good bowling at first change than with the new ball.
“He’s a very good bowler.
“We actually lose him for the final so we will really miss him.
“But he’s helped us get there so he’s played a part.”
Joblink’s opponent in the final won’t be confirmed until after this Friday’s final round of preliminary matches but it will be either Locomotive Hotel or Halpin’s Plumbing.
“We’re in the final now,” Jones said. “We can have a bit of fun next week and and then it’s the big one.
“It doesn’t matter who we play out of those two.”
Locomotive Hotel is in the box seat to make the final but Joblink can help Halpin’s Plumbing’s cause.
Joblink faces Loco in the last game while Halpin’s need to beat McDonald’s and hit plenty of sixes in the process.
Halpin’s beat Loco on Friday by nine wickets after a nine-man Loco made only 67 and Dan Cunningham belted a quick 48 not out in the short chase.
If the teams finish level after next week the number of sixes each team has hit during the competition will separate them. At the moment Loco is in front on that score as well.
