On a strip that was a batsman’s dream once settled, the top orders from both sides took the chance to rack up solid innings before the two-week break.

Hanwood skipper Jason Bertacco was happy with

his side’s overall effort, but said there were areas they needed to focus on during the second half of the season.

“We were giving away a few too many runs by bowling short and taking the pressure off,” Bertacco said.

“All the bowlers, including myself, we just a fraction too short at times.”

“The pitch was offering a bit for both side’s early on but once you got past that it was good to bat on.”

“I said to the guys ‘if we could just get through the first 20 overs without too much

damage we’ll be right’ and even at 2-50 at drinks I thought we in a good position.”

Brad Hornery was solid early on for Hanwood, compiling a well-made 54, before being bowled by Mohammad Saeed.

Jamie Whitworth also got amongst the runs with 24, before Bertacco (38no) and Brendon Hicken (69no) finished off the innings to set Yoogali a commanding 204 to win.

However, Yoogali began strongly with Mohammad Arafat (31) and Saeed (33) putting on 65 for the first wicket.

Bertacco said he was a little worried with Yoogali’s strong opening stand, but kept urging his bowlers to bend their backs, saying the chances would come.

“The two Pakistani guys

batted pretty well, but I kept saying to the guys we just have to keep knuckling down and stay ready in the field,” he said.

“I think the turning point was when we got those two wickets quickly, that turned the game back in our favour and we really turned the screws after that.”

Those two wickets made it

4-107, and despite some late-innings heroics from Nathan Cahill (36no), Yoogali fell agonisingly short of what would have been a massive win for the club going into the two-week break.