Cobar faced Dubbo in what turned out to be a thrilling contest in the opening game of the Macquarie Valley Cricket Council Brewery Shield 50-over competition at Ward Oval on Sunday.
Cobar won the toss and chose to bat first, ultimately setting a target of 167 runs.
Despite a gritty bowling performance, Cobar suffered a narrow defeat as Dubbo’s last batting partnership pulled off a miraculous 33-run partnership to snatch victory.
Cobar Cowboys captain Jake Harbison was the cornerstone of the Cobar batting line-up, scoring an unbeaten 44 runs off 79 balls.
Mark Fraser also made a significant contribution with a quick 34 off 33 balls, boasting a strike rate of 103.03 while Jade Buckman made 25 runs off 30 balls.
However, Cobar’s innings faltered as they lost quick wickets, eventually finishing on 167 all out in 43 overs.
Andrew Ridge was the pick of the bowlers for Dubbo, taking four wickets for 34 runs in 10 overs.
Suraj Khanal and Matthew Neill also impressed, each grabbing two wickets and maintaining low economy rates.
The Dubbo innings was marked by ups and downs, but the tail-enders saved the day.
Kyle Larance, who remained not out on 23, and Khanal, who contributed a quick 16 (not out), proved to be the heroes of the day.
They strung together a match-winning last-wicket partnership of 33 runs, sealing a one wicket win for Dubbo in 46 overs.
Cobar’s Slade Neale put on a bowling masterclass, picking up four wickets while giving away just 23 runs in his 10-over spell.
Phillip Harley also chipped in with a couple of wickets for Cobar however the team’s high number of wides (25) turned out to be costly for Cobar.—contributed
