DESPITE a handful of strong individual performances, the Murray Districts – Barrer – Sunraysia (MDBS) team did record a win across the four days of the 100th SACA Senior Country Cup cricket competition.
In the seventh vs eight place play-off last Thursday, February 6 at the Park 25 number 3 ground, MDBS batted first, being bowled out for 143, facing just 31 overs.
Opening the batting, Michael Maalste, again got a start, dismissed for 24.
Batting in the middle order co-captain Tobias Hack produced a stunning lone hand.
With wickets falling around him, Hack remained not out on 71 off just 59 deliveries faced, including 10 boundaries and three sixes.
He was involved in a 42 run eighth wicket stand with Connor McLean (10 from 22 balls) which ensured the team passed the 100-run mark.
Chasing this modest total, Eyre Peninsula got home four wickets down, hitting the winning runs from the first ball of the 29th over.
Maalste added to his cameo with the bat, taking 3-29 from five overs with ball in hand.
“It was an interesting week for MDBS,” Hack said.
“It is tough with only 11 players, after two top class players from the Sunraysia competition pulling out less than a week before the carnival starting.
“Overall, across this week, we competed hard without success.
“Both our Alice Springs and South East games went down to the wire.
“Northern showed us what you have to do to win the Cup and by Thursday everyone was buggered and had one eye on home duties on Saturday.
“All the Broken Hill boys had their moments during the week and will benefit from the carnival.
“In Austin Wilson’s first carnival, he exceeded his own expectations and was only a couple of wickets away from team of the carnival selection.”
Wilson claimed 2/34 in his outing against Northern and then took 4/40 from 7.3 overs in the Wednesday game against South East at Stratarama Stadium in Glenelg.
“Ben Jurd showed class with both bat and ball, but played this tournament without much luck,” Hack continued.
“Sheldon Hall batted well against South East and gave us a total to defend.
“Connor McLean was very handy in the field and for his first carnival showed he wasn’t out of his depth.
“Michael Maalste didn’t have the return for his bowling he would have liked but gained some confidence in his batting, which will make him very dangerous in Broken Hill and next time he comes to Adelaide.
“Luke Hall would have been close to fielder of the carnival, would have clocked up some kms on the boundary.”
Hack, who has donned the white for this team since his teens, missed team of the championships selection and the opportunity to play on Adelaide Oval on Friday by six runs.
He made 158 runs across the series, including two 50s and a strong average of 52.67.
“Personally, I was happy with my carnival,” Hack said.
“Naturally I would have liked some runs Tuesday and Wednesday, but overall I had a good week.”
