Exies batsman Phil Burge watches this shot off the willow on Saturday in the two-dayer against Hanwood.
Cricket
WITH one foot firmly planted in this season's first-grade finals, Hanwood's Brendan Hicken believes anything including grand final glory is possible for his side.
Hanwood went one step closer to locking in fourth spot on the ladder on Saturday after crushing Exies by 130 runs at Exies No.2.
Chasing a first-innings total of 188 set by Hanwood on day one of the match, Exies resumed at 0-4 and promptly crumbled to be all out for just 58 runs.
Only the unbeaten Phil Burge (14 not out) made it into double figures, with strike bowlers Dean Wynne (3-12), Tom West (2-12) and Hicken (2-9) all having a day out.
A win over wooden spooners-elect Leagues Club in the final round of two-dayers will confirm a finals appearance for Hanwood, despite a late surge from fifth-placed Yenda.
Assuming that happens, Hicken said Hanwood would enter the finals with a real sense of belonging after dispatching of one of local cricket's most in-form sides.
"Last time we won it, we came from fourth and went all the way through. It does happen," he said.
"We've just been waiting for our side to click and hopefully this is the start of it. When we're on our mark we're a pretty red hot side.
"Exies had a couple of players out but there were still a few damaging guys there, so this is a really confidence-boosting win for the boys.
"There's a few more things we've got to work on before the finals but we'll sort that out."
Hicken was full of praise for Wynne, who was extremely economical in his eight-over spell, with three of those overs scoreless.
"We just bowled really, really tight and made them play the bad shots," he said.
"Every bowler was spot on and we took the catches and fielded really well.
"I'd say Wynney was the pick of the bunch but it's good to get Tommy West back as well - he's looking pretty good."
Hanwood rolled the dice for a potential outright victory by sending Exies back into bat for a second innings, but the home side stood firm with opener Phil Burge smacking an unbeaten 57.