An enthralling contest that had the teams combine for almost 400 runs, it was the class of Jets veteran Mitch Brett that rose to the fore, with his 57 proving the anchor for his side’s successful pursuit of 197.
This came after Bloods skipper Mitch McGrath inspired his side’s best batting performance of the season, as he posted 58 from the top of the order to see it to an imposing total of 196.
A victory that keeps the Jets in touch with the top six, coach Steve Allen said it was a relief to secure the six points.
“It was a really good win in the end, I thought our boys handled the chase really well, especially Mitch Brett and Stu Turner, who got us home at the end,” Allen said.
“It took us until the very end, but overall I thought it was a great batting performance from the boys and a win that we really needed to keep our season alive.”
Winning the toss and batting first, the Bloods faltered out of the blocks, as Northerners opener Tim Brett wreaked havoc with three quick wickets to have the home side in control at 3-39.
But McGrath was still there for the visitors and with Cooper Delahey (35) for company the pair went about reviving the Karramomus cause.
A partnership that brought the Bloods to 6-150, Michael Mandaradoni then picked up the slack and smashed 48 off 44 balls to see them to the big first innings total.
“Tim Brett bowled very well early and until the last 10 overs I thought as a group we were bowling well enough,” Allen said.
“But then we unfortunately let it slip towards the end and mismanaged our bowlers a bit, we would have liked to restrict them to 170-odd, but we leaked 40 from the last three overs to let them get over 190.
“We were definitely disappointed to have to chase 196, but to the boys’ credit they got on with it and batted beautifully.”
With a big mountain to climb, the Jets got off to a solid start with a patient 25, while young gun Declan Newbound was a bit more aggressive in his approach as he recorded a classy 40.
But Karramomus managed to stay in the contest courtesy of Zac Groombridge, who took control of proceedings with a ripping nine-over spell of 3-29.
With the match evenly poised, it needed somebody to stand up and take it by the scruff of the neck.
And that person ended up being Mitch Brett, as he commanded the crease from ball one and expertly placed his team in a position to win with a classy 57 off 74 balls.
Turner then finished the job for the Jets, with his unbeaten 25 seeing them to victory with 16 balls remaining.
“Mitch was terrific, he was very positive in his approach and always looking to score, but also batted sensibly and didn’t take any unnecessary risks,” Allen said.
“Batting at number five he anchored our innings very well and really put us in the perfect position to win.
“He also got great support by Stu Turner, who understood the situation of the game, overall I think we handled the chase very well.”
The win puts Northerners into seventh spot on the ladder and within one point of Waaia in that prized sixth spot.
THE GAME
Northerners 8-198 (Mitch Brett 57, Declan Newbound 40, Stu Turner 25 not out, Zac Groombridge 3-29) d Karramomus 7-196 (Mitch McGrath 58, Michael Mandaradoni 48, Cooper Delahey 35, Tim Brett 3-27)
STAR PLAYER
Mitch Brett (Northerners): Coming to the crease with the match evenly poised, it was the efforts of Brett that ensured Northerners came away with the six points. An innings filled with poise, Brett summed up the situation perfectly and struck 57 valuable runs to prove the perfect anchor of the Northerners’ chase.
