Sunday’s Gulgong District Cricket Association match turned into the Steve Haney (79 not out) show as he helped Centennial to a 14-run win over Coolah.
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Haney’s dig, combined with strong outings from several other Centennial players, gave the side its third straight win, positioning it in second place with just two regular season games remaining.
After winning the toss, Centennial chose to bat and once Trevor Seis (5) was sent packing by Tom O’Neill (2/23), Haney got his chance to shine as his partnership with Dion Hollow (31) gave his side a handy 2-89 start.
John Esdaile (2/28) joined the two-wicket club before lunch as he kept Centennial in check as best he could.
The first innings stretched for all 40 overs as Centennial found its way to 180.
After lunch, Coolah opened through Steve Gilbert (4), but his dig was short-lived as Brad Honeysett (3/39) notched his first of three wickets in his eight-over outing.
Brett Williams (1) and Kyle Baldwin (4) followed suit immediately, spelling a 3-10 disaster for Coolah.
Honeysett was again the culprit of the carnage as he shot out of the gates on Sunday.
Craig Schneider (41) provided Coolah with some stability, before Tom O’Neill’s 65 not out dig almost gave his side enough runs to get the result.
As we’ve seen so often in 2017-18, the chasing team found itself so close to victory before time got the best of them.
Matt Whitby (0), Sam Wesley (0), Ant Heathcote (1) and Matt Gilbert (3) failed to deliver for Coolah in the dying stages as its chase came to an end after 37 overs.
Gulgong RSL and Bowlers were supposed to play in the second round 18 fixture which was unfortunately cancelled after Bowlers were forced to forfeit, seeing RSL get the points.
Sunday’s results sees Coolah pull up just one run ahead of Bowlers, who sit at the bottom of the table while Centennial sits alone at second position behind Goolma.
Bowlers will be faced with a mighty test in round 19 as it faces a fresh Goolma outfit, while Coolah squares off against Gulgong RSL.