SUB-DISTRICT
PEARCEDALE pulled off one of the greatest comeback wins of all time on Saturday to beat Rosebud in the Sub District grand final.
After the first two days of the match last weekend, Rosebud was in the box seat to win.
They had made 152 on the Saturday and had Pearcedale in a real spot of bother at the close of play on Sunday, seven wickets down with 50 runs still to get.
With Shayne Gillings down with a hamstring injury, many wondered how Pearcedale was going to pull it off.
The Panthers may not have achieved the impossible on the first innings, but what followed will probably never, ever be done again.
The third day of this match had more twists and turns than a 1960’s dancefloor.
Pearcedale had achieved the unthinkable in the first innings, getting to the point where they needed just three runs to win the match with two wickets in hand.
John Herbert was looking the goods on 45 and together with Gillings (11), looked as though they were going to get the target.
However, Rosebud opening bowler Adam Bryant removed Gillings and it was game on again.
Jason Nagel then removed Herbert with the third ball of his 24th over and it appeared the Panthers had stolen defeat from the jaws of victory.
Rosebud obviously celebrated like they had just won the grand final. Who can blame them.
However, little did we know at that point that the match was far from finished.
Pearcedale sent the Buds back into bat and at one stage had them 7/8. That’s right, it’s not a misprint.
Bryant and Geoff Glaum added some very valuable runs at the end to at least get the Buds to 70.
Panthers’ skipper Chris Dew was brilliant, picking-up 7/22. Someone needed to stand up with Gillings unavailable to bowl and Dew stepped to the front of the line.
This left Pearcedale with 14 overs to score the 74 runs required for victory.
Amazingly, they achieved it in 8.5 overs.
Fittingly, Chris Dew (20) was at the crease when the winning runs were made. At the other end was Max Blackburn, who returned to his original club after a spell of playing elsewhere.
Whilst Rosebud had thought they had won the match, Pearcedale was always looking to fight it out to the end. They achieved their objective.
Pearcedale will now play in District Grade next season.
