ALLANSFORD has taken a major step towards securing a Warrnambool and District Cricket Association finals berth.
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The Gators maintained top spot on the WDCA Hopkins conference with an eight-run win against Nirranda at Nirranda Recreation Reserve.
The Knights, resuming at 1-2 in pursuit of 182, slumped to 6-59 before almost snatching the match with a gutsy lower-order fightback.
But wickets to Sam McCluggage (4-47 off 15 overs) and Brad Sheen (2-8 off 3.2 overs) helped dismiss them for 174.
James Dalton was the instigator of the recovery with a half-century at number six.
Tim Keogh, Hamish Huffadine, Brody Couch and Jesse Dalton also chipped in with valuable runs, with the last four wickets adding 115.
But their efforts were ultimately in vain. The Knights dropped to fifth in the conference as a result.
Allansford captain Nick Maddison said he was pleased to get the win. He credited the Nirranda batsmen for nearly pulling off a rags-to-riches victory.
“They played pretty well. It was a pretty even game,” he said.
“I’m happy to win but you think towards the end of the year, if we make it and we hope to, that anything can happen.
“I said that after the one-day final, you get to finals if you get there, you can be out as quick as you’re in.
“We’ve had a couple of close games we’ve managed to win and we’ve lost a couple of games in the Twenty20s and a one-dayer against Nestles.
“It’s always pleasing to win and pleasing to get home in a tight one. But there is plenty of work ahead.”
Maddison said sitting on top of the conference — the Gators are 18 points clear of third-ranked Merrivale — would hold them in good stead next month.
“Last season we were trying to win games to get in. The early games are critical,” he said.
“You think it’s only early in the year but all of a sudden it’s the end of the year and you’re not where you want to be.
“Now we are. But if we lose the next three, the pressure is on. It’ll come down to run rate and percentage.”
Elsewhere in the Hopkins conference, Dennington was two wickets away from defeating Brierly-Christ Church outright at Dennington Recreation Reserve.
The Dogs, defending 272, routed the Bulls for 97 (Jack Lee 4-24). But a half-century from Nathan Murphy in the second innings denied the hosts full points.
Merrivale rose to third thanks to its 94-run win against Nestles at Reid Oval.
Coby Dudman and Luke Pearson grabbed three wickets as the Factory was all out for 93. Geoff Williams carried his bat to make 34 not out.
In the Merri conference, West Warrnambool ignited its season with an 88-run defeat of Port Fairy at Davidson Oval.
The Panthers, with 178 on the board, dismissed the Pirates for 90. Englishman Andrew Scott took 3-21 from 18 overs.
Kory Howlett’s breakout season continued in Woodford’s six-wicket win against Russells Creek at Jack Keane Oval.
Howlett made 88, taking his season tally to 460, as the Eels finished all out for 216, in reply to Creek’s 138.
And East Warrnambool-YCW did what it had to in beating Wesley-CBC by five wickets at Jones Oval, with captain Mark Murphy making 50.