HASTINGS First XI recovered from a disastrous start to post a good win over Macleay on Sunday and almost guarantee an inter-district final spot.
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The Port Macquarie-based side posted 144 at Wayne Richards Park before skittling the visitors for just 58, giving the players an early reprieve from the heat.
An extraordinary opening over from Macleay paceman Nick Millar had Hastings in massive early trouble.
Millar removed Ethan Hyde, Josh Hyde and Sam Ward to have a hat-trick from the second, third and fourth balls of the over.
He had Ethan Hyde caught at short cover before bowling Josh Hyde and then Ward.
Things quickly got worse for Hastings. All of a sudden it was 5-16.
Millar's figures were 5-19 from six overs.
"Then it starts to get a bit concerning," team manager Matt Day said.
Andrew Murrell and Tim Harris came together for an 81-run partnership to save Hastings' hide.
Day said with Hastings' attack, that score would put the team in with a shot of victory.
"I felt 144 would be very competitive," he said.
Ethan McKenna put the ball in the right areas for Hastings, taking 6-11 from six overs.
He was also on a hat-trick at one stage.
Nick Bartlett chimed in with 2-20 from seven overs.
"He [Bartlett] and Muz were probably the best of the bowlers early on," Day said.
"Then Ethan came on and took five for."
Day said it was a lucky escape for his team. "When you're 5-16, to be able to skittle them for a score like that is a big get out of jail card for us," he said.
The team will now face Manning, who forfeited to Hastings in round one, on December 7.
More cricket in Friday's Port News
