It came down to the last ball, but it was not meant to be for the Cobram Panel Works Panthers on Sunday afternoon.
Battling Kyabram side the Hurley’s Hotel Hounds in round one of the Goulburn Valley Bush Bash League at Shepparton’s Deakin Reserve, the Panthers suffered a nail-biting four-run loss.
Taking on a side stacked with talent from across the state, the Panthers were up against it early thanks to Hounds opener Paul Newman.
The Kyabram Fire Brigade talent struck 90 off just 58 balls before being dismissed by Lachlan Busk, with the knock headlining the Hounds innings.
While Panthers captain Adam De Cicco did his best with the ball (3-18) and the Hounds faltered after losing their main man, the side still managed to set a daunting target of 172.
This total was made to look like even more of a challenge early in Cobram’s innings, with openers Isaac Willett and Wian Van Zyl both dismissed in the second over.
Despite this early setback the men in magenta battled their way back into the game through knocks from Michael Eckard (37), Ben Fulford (19) and Damian Cupido (39).
It was here where the Panthers’ batting depth came to forefront, with number eight Oliver Willett striking 32 to give the side a chance.
However, despite a six on the second last ball it was not to be, with the Hounds running out four-run victors.
“It’s great to come away with a win in the first round, especially against a team as talented as Cobram,” Hounds coach Peter Learmonth said.
“I’m always nervous in T20 cricket because it can change so quickly, and we saw that today, so for the boys to hold firm in the finish there it was very impressive.”
Labelling Newman a “superstar” for his contribution, Learmonth said there was still a couple of stars to come into the squad.
“That was probably the weakest team we’ll put on the park, so to still come away with a win, it puts us in great shape,” he said.
In Sunday’s other round one clash the Jarvis Delahey Crushers produced a 33-run win over the SRP Mud Dogs.
Round two of the GVBBL will be held on January 15 at the Cobram Showgrounds.