MACQUARIE Hotel took the first step towards qualifying for the May Kelly Cup final on Australia Day after a thrilling four-run victory over Bonny Hills on Saturday.
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Macquarie won the toss and elected to bat on what appeared a slow Oxley Oval deck as they scrambled their way to 97 all out in the 19th over with Toby Fraser (23) providing the only resistance.
In reply, Bonny Hills could only manage 7-93 off their allotted 20 overs.
Captain Craig Roser admitted he felt their total was below par although the pitch proved difficult to score freely on.
"The wicket was very two-paced and extremely hard to get value for your shots so it was probably worth 120-odd, but I didn't think it would be enough," he said.
"I think eight of us were bowled so we didn't value our wicket too much."
Sam Dwyer (3-13 off four overs) and Rashid Hussain (1-13 off four) were the pick of the Macquarie bowlers.
They face Port City Leagues on January 15 with the winner to progress to the final on Australia Day.
The Magpies disposed of Bonny Hills by 89 runs in the earlier fixture at Oxley Oval and Roser knows his side faces a difficult task.
"I think it will be a Port City and Barbarians final, but you never know. All you need is someone to stand up on the day and it would be nice if it's the captain," he said.
Meanwhile, Wauchope RSL defeated Beechwood by five wickets on Saturday at Andrews Park.
Matt Miller (2-15 off four overs) and Matt Day (3-12 off 2.4 overs) starred with the ball before Ethan McKenna's quickfire 47 ensured RSL chased down the 83 required for victory in the 15th over.
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