Captain Brett Hunger said the 64-run win in a rain-interrupted match had fuelled his side’s confidence with just one match remaining before they play finals.

“I said … during the week that we’re not afraid of Mortlake,” he said.

“For us to come out and beat them this close to finals was really good.

“We definitely have one eye on the first week of finals now after (Saturday’s win). It’s pretty much all geared towards that now for us.”

Terang has been knocked out in the semi-final stage the past two summers, but Hunger hopes his team this summer can turn their fortunes around.

They fielded their strongest team for the season to date against the Cats, which have now lost consecutive matches after being undefeated for most of the season.

With rain affecting Terang’s batting innings, Hunger said they were pleased to get 157, with Hamish Bruckner’s unbeaten 56 anchoring the innings.

“We batted really well and didn’t lost wickets too regularly,” Hunger said.

“To be able to put 160-ish on the board was really good. It gave us something to defend.”

With opening bowlers Brandon Bant (1-12) and Tim Keane (3-25) bowling economically and claiming early wickets, Terang was well in the hunt for the points at the drinks break.

It then became a race against time to get their 50 overs in before 6.15pm to ensure a result and avoid a draw after earlier rain delays.

“We had to rush through our overs pretty quickly,” Hunger said.

“We were running back to the top of our mark to bowl the bowl, bowling spin.

“We bowled the out in the 43rd over. It would’ve been touch-and-go if we were able to get the overs in (if we hadn’t have bowled Mortlake out).”

Next Saturday’s match against fellow top-four side Heytesbury Rebels shapes as a big one for Terang, which sits out the final round of the season with a bye.