The great escape!
A heart-stopping finish at Upper Beaconsfield Reserve saw the Maroons win their second consecutive game in round three of the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association (CCCA) Premier Division.
The hosts won the toss and opted for the bat against Officer despite missing talented opener Josh Westra due to an ankle injury.
Kyle Gibbs (9) was the first to go after being struck on the pads by Cooper Pursell, bringing Upper Beaconsfield to 1/19.
But then an outstanding partnership of star recruit Dominic Evans and skipper Will Haines put the Maroons on the front foot.
Haines raised the bat and looked primed for a massive total after blasting Ash Smith over the fence for a major before Smith got back and bowled him the next ball for 72.
The wicket ended a 114-run stand between Haines and Evans.
Shortly after, Evans reached a half ton of his own before he was caught off the bowling of Adam Reid for 70.
No other Upper Beaconsfield bat managed more than single-digits, leading the Maroons to post 6/170 after the full 40.
Reid finished with figures of 2/35 off eight overs while Smith also grabbed two poles.
In the chase, Ethan Hollings broke through for the hosts by claiming the prized wicket of Bill Carlyle, trapping the in-form bat in front for just four.
Jaswinder Gill provided strong resistance as he chipped away at the new ball, notching 48 before Evans claimed his first wicket of the season when Gill was caught in the deep.
Smith also batted hard and built an impressive knock of 51, raising the bat for the first time in his Premier career.
He then departed after chipping it back to Evans but it appeared the Bullants were well and truly on top of the contest.
Gibbs dismissed Chandrika Wathukarage (6) to bring Officer’s score to 4/140 with a target of 171.
Agamjot Dhindsa (5) also couldn’t do much damage but it still seemed no iceberg loomed in the distance with Rajitha Ranaweera batting well and the Bullants at 5/157, needing just 14 runs to win with five wickets in hand.
But cricket is a funny game.
The madness began when Nick McLennan was run out for the infamously-unwanted diamond duck from an incredible direct hit from AJ Claxton near the boundary.
Ranaweera (42) was then gone from an LBW thanks to Haines, but still Officer could sniff victory at 7/166, requiring just five runs.
In the next over, Tyler Astle ripped out Reid’s off stump without scoring and suddenly the tension became unbearable for the visitors.
Lachie James nervously came to the crease with Haines back into the attack, leading to the skipper rattling his stumps, leaving the Bullants at 9/168.
Dan Irvine survived the last three balls of the over to get Pursell on strike, needing just three runs for victory.
But Astle was motivated and Upper Beaconsfield was rolling and the young bowler got the better of Pursell with an absolute peach, sending the bails flying and launching his side into jubilant celebrations.
“It was an unbelievable win,” Maroons coach Scott Pitcher said.
“Our first 20 overs (bowling) we probably did a lot wrong, we didn’t bowl and field the way we wanted and spoke about before the innings.
“At drinks we reset and from there we started to peg them back.
“We changed our mindset a little bit and we stopped worrying about losing and just went out and played the game.
“The direct hit run out from the boundary changed the momentum as run outs usually do.
“From there, the boys bowled really good lines and our fielders backed them up so it was a really good team effort.
“We had enough runs but we sort of let ourselves down with the ball for the first part.
“But we then redeemed ourselves with really good and smart bowling.
“At the end of the day it fell into our hands and they got bogged down.”
After Officer seemed to set itself up into a seemingly unlosable position, the Bullants lost 6/11 total, including 4/2 in the last four overs.
Upper Beaconsfield stole the triumph from the jaws of defeat and Pitcher’s side was thrilled.
“It’s the attitude that’s impressed me,” he said.
“We spoke about it from day one, we want to change the culture and the way we play, we want to be hard to play against and push the opposition.
“We felt like we stole the game but we were well in it for a part of it and just executed better at the end.
“We kept positive and kept in the game, that’s the main thing, you’re never out of it in cricket.
“I’m really proud of the boys’ start.”
The Maroons are now fourth on the ladder with a 2-1 start after winning just two games total last summer.
It’s an extremely positive development for the young side that is now creating some momentum.
Captain Haines has started his season on a fantastic note, averaging 41 with the bat while taking two scalps in Saturday’s triumph.
Astle has also been hot as the 18-year-old has claimed six wickets so far in the campaign.
As the entire competition moves to two-day matches, the Maroons will be looking to build on their encouraging start and shift their focus to the long format.
