An epic tie between Epping and Rivergum on Tuesday night concluded the regular tournament matches for the Northern Region T20 season.
With a finals spot on the line, Rivergum won the toss and elected to bat first and was under immediate pressure, at 1-9 early in their innings.
Fellow opening batsman, skipper Matthew Perri, was able to make up for his partners mistake making a solid cameo of 36.
Jarrod Bannister at first drop was the other standout for the Kookas, top scoring with a half century off 39 deliveries. However, there weren’t many more positives to come from the batting innings. After being 2-66 when Perri fell, Rivergum lost its next eight wickets for just 64 runs to be bowled out for 130 with two balls remaining.
Sohan Boralessa was clinical for the Pingers with the ball taking 4-14 from his four overs, including one maiden.
Epping was able to start a bit stronger with the bat, with opening batsmen Tom Emmins and Josh Henkel putting on 42 runs before Henkel was dismissed for 25.
All top-six batsmen for the Pingers, except number three Nathan Gardiner, who went out for a duck, were able to put up scores in the 20s without anyone going on to control the game.
With eight runs needed off Epping’s last over to secure victory, the game was still in the balance.
Suvra Saha was given the responsibility for the Kookas and it wasn’t looking good early in the over with five runs coming from the first three balls.
He then took the wicket of Todd Hughes who was established on 23. However, three runs required off the last two balls, was too much for Epping with a leg bye off the last tying the match between the side.
Epping finished on top of the pool percentage ahead of the Kookas, to automatically win through to the finals. The Kookas set to move through as a the lucky loser.
In other results, Laurimar won on forfeit against Strathewen, Bundoora sealed top spot in its pool, and did Bundoora United.
Mernda, Plenty, Epping, Bundoora, Banyule, Bundoora United and Lower Plenty all finished on top of their pools
