CONNOR Cook’s composure under pressure ensured Port Macquarie Pirates’ continued their winning ways with a nailbiting one-wicket victory over Port City on Saturday.
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Pirates looked destined for their first defeat of the season when Adam Carrall joined Cook out in the middle with 26 runs still required for victory.
Pursuing 163 for victory, Pirates slumped to 6-74 when Mick Foster departed.
But captain Ben Woodward said the feeling amongst the team was that they could still dig themselves out of trouble.
“We were in a bit of trouble in the chase, but no one ever dropped their heads at any stage,” he said.
“It was probably the most satisfying win of the season.”
Cook finished unbeaten on 40 and with the help of fellow teenager Jared Humphreys (27) along with Jack Connolly (27), Pirates got the job done.
Woodward said his young charge was playing his innings in the sheds before he went out to bat.
“He just backed himself,” he said.
“He had positive intent, hit three massive sixes and was figuring out how he was going to go about his innings.”
The win was setup in the first half of Port City’s innings with Mick Foster (2-11 off eight overs) continuing his purple patch with the ball.
“Mick has been awesome for us and has bowled with really good pace up front,” he said.
“When he does that, it sets the tone for our fielding effort because it’s easy to get the momentum at the start.”
Humphreys (5-32 off 7.2 overs) was the main wicket-taker.
“Jared seems to have gained some real confidence over the off season and is bowling with some real pace which makes a big difference in this competition,” Woodward said.
“He’s still only young too so it will be interesting to see how quick he can be in the next couple of years.”
For Magpies, Zac Jones (3-28 off eight overs) was the pick of their bowlers.
Blake Larance (2-35 off eight), Brendan Badenoch (2-18 off three), Josh Felton (1-19 off eight) and Sean Minns (1-16 off 4.4) also picked up wickets.
Meanwhile, Wauchope RSL slumped to a 51-run defeat at the hands of Taree West.
After winning the toss and electing to field, RSL would have fancied their chances when they dismissed West for 122.
Matt Miller (3-20 off 6.3) and Jason Blythe (3-15 off six) were the standouts with the ball.
Wauchope’s chase never really got going as they slumped to 3-11 before eventually being rolled for just 71.
Darren Bourke top scored with 17, but there was very little support with Bailey Smith (10) and Jason Blythe (11) the only batsmen to reach double figures.
