WAUCHOPE RSL claimed their first May Kelly Cup title in three years with an eight-run win over Port Macquarie Pirates on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Isaac King (29), Bailey Smith (28) and Jake Morgan-Monk (23) all contributed as the 2015-16 champions compiled a competitive 9-128 off their 20 overs.
Despite Port Macquarie Pirate Connor Cook’s best efforts, Wauchope kept their composure long enough in the big moments to restrict them to 9-120.
Cook (36) top scored for his side and appeared likely to single-handedly steer them home until he holed out to deep mid-wicket within sight of victory.
Wauchope captain Matt Miller admitted to having some concerns while Cook was out in the middle.
“Connor is a really impressive cricketer as we all know and I was a bit worried when he got going,” Miller said.
The Wauchope captain admitted their tactics of getting the Australian under-16 representative off strike paid dividends.
“Our plan was to put pressure on the other end when he was off strike because we knew they had to hit boundaries and he was the one that would do it,” he said.
Miller was impressed with the performance of teammate and teenage fast bowler Corey Holt.
“I was really impressed with Corey Holt who is only 16 years old but bowled really well throughout the day, especially in the final,” he said.
The Wauchope captain admitted he would have liked a few more runs with the bat after they got off to a fast start, but also had confidence in his bowling attack.
“I thought it was a decent score to defend especially with our bowling attack,” he said.
“It was probably about par after we got off to a good start, but I was really impressed with our bowling and our fielding.”
The narrow victory avenged their defeat to Macquarie in the 2016/17 May Kelly Cup decider.
RSL have quietly moved into second position on the Mid North Coast Premier League ladder when the competition resumes next weekend.
They will hope to continue their winning form.
“The plan now is to win the Premier League,” Miller said.
What else is happening in sport?
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.
