In the most unlikely of wins, Bethlehem College 1st XI has progressed through to the final of the Baywide 1st XI competition.
Playing against unbeaten Otumoetai, we lost the toss and were put in to bat.
In a slow, but steady opening partnership, Matt Davis (27) and Dylan Ramohitaj (13) got through to the 17th over unbeaten before Ramohitaj fell.
With a further 3 wickets falling in quick succession a partnership of sorts developed between Bill Burnett (15) and Patrick Davenport (20) taking the score through to 91 off 28 overs.
The remaining wickets fell quickly from there leaving Otumoetai with a meagre 114 to better.
Undeterred, Bethlehem coach, Bryce Fairweather, encouraged the lads to make something special happen (“just 9 good balls”) and happen it did.
Otumoetai started well and looked in control until in the 8th over Ryan Poppe threw a spectacular direct hit to run out one opener.
Then in the 9th over Bill Burnett produced a blinder taking 3 wickets (including the ‘inform’ Vaughan Wilson for a golden duck, Christian MacDonald, 0, and Cam Ball, 0).
The Otumoetai spirit seemed broken at 18 for 4 , however some determined tail end batting (Nathan Wilson, 20 & Johnny Hill, 15) did see them put up a bit of a fight, however with Bill Burnett on fire and another superb run out, the Bethlehem side had them all out in the 29th over for 78. Bill Burnett finished with an incredible, and career best, 6 wickets for 12 off 8.5 overs.
We now take on Aquinas in the final next Saturday up at Aquinas.
