South Tamworth have stopped the rot and at the same time won a minor psychological battle against City United, after a last-over Twenty20 victory at Riverside 1.
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Souths halted their losing sequence at three matches, while City’s winning streak ended at six.
Pre-match, Souths wicketkeeper Tom Groth said the pressure was on City, given their long title drought.
After winning the toss and batting, City finished on 9-94 after 20 overs. Souths passed the total with four balls left and five wickets down.
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It was Souths’ first T20 win of the season, in what was a third-round clash. The reigning premiers welcomed back NSW Country rep Tom O’Neill for his debut T20 clash this season, and Souths captain Mitch Smith said having the in-form quick available was a “big time” boost.
“He knows a lot of fielding manoeuvres and strategies for each ball, each different ball,” said Smith, who is in his second year in charge of the side. “It’s very fluid, the old Twenty20. It’s a learning curve for me and the team.”
O’Neill finished with 1-14 off four overs. But it was teenager Kaleb McIlveen, coming off Central North’s Country Colts Championships campaign, who had the most success with the ball for Souths – 3-20 off four overs.
City skipper Brad Smith opened the innings and top-scored (23).
Mitch Smith opened and continued his excellent form, making 27. He did, however, hurt his hand after it was hit with the ball while batting.
City off-spinner Scott Brennan claimed 2-24 off four overs.
“We bowled well,” the Souths captain said. “We restricted them to 94, so that was a really good effort.”
The competition now break for Christmas, before the T20 competition resumes on January 5.
City have had their competition lead reduced, with a resurgent Old Boys slotting into second sport after three consecutive T20 wins.
Norths are in third place, followed by Souths, Bective and Wests.
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