Specialised Civil Services entered the sixth and final round of the Coates Hire Namoi Super Slog T20 regular season on Friday night unsure if a win would be enough to book a spot in the grand final the following night.
A commanding 40-run win against Carla Baxter Real Estate at Collins Park, combined with Priag Marketing’s 18-run loss against Rose Pest Control at Hogan Oval, meant that Specialised Civil Services not only qualified for the decider but also finished first on the four-team ladder.
The side finished equal on 27 points with Carla Baxter Real Estate but claimed top spot due to a superior net run rate.
The round six results meant that the intriguing rivalry between Specialised Civil Services and Carla Baxter Real Estate would culminate with a grand final showdown on Saturday night.
The two sides entered the competition’s decider having both secured a victory each against one another during the season. Both teams finished on 27 points following three wins, two losses and a washout draw, and the ladder leaders’ net run rate was 1.06 compared to the second-placed sides’ 1.05.
There was almost nothing splitting the sides heading into the grand final with an entertaining battle predicted to be contested.
That is exactly what the two sides delivered in a match which came down to the final delivery.
Specialised Civil Services won the toss and batted first and made 5-115 from its 20 overs.
Carla Baxter Real Estate then scored 110 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 19.5 overs which meant that it required a maximum from the final delivery of the innings to win the game.
However, it was the Specialised Civil Services men who celebrated, with the chasing side only able to score two runs from that final ball.
Full match report to come.
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