Harden Hornets had a hard-fought victory over Yass Taipans at Bowning on Saturday with the result only being assured in the final overs.
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Hornets captain Kai Steele won the toss and decided to bat first.
Hornets got away to a great start with Paul Potts finding form while Steele played the anchor role. Running between the wickets was a problem with many a u-turn required after dodgy calls.
It was not surprising when Potts was finally run out in bizarre circumstances, when Steele was dropped off a skidded catch and both batsmen ended up at the bowlers end, Potts out by the length of the pitch for 20.
Hornets opening partnership was 75.
Jeff Brown joined Steele and kept the run rate ticking over until he was bowled by Hugh Morrison for 11.
James Woodhead (6) came and went quickly.
Steele was finally out for 70 when he was bowled by Phil Whitehead with Hornets comfortable at 4-137.
A batting collapse saw Ben Brady, Jack Nicholl and Kelvin Brown all come and go. It was then left to the Abnett boys, Shane and Beau to finish off the innings.
Shane continued his good form going on to make 34 while Beau held up his end for five. Hornets, finally 9- 184.
Taipans knew they had to make runs quickly and sent out their gun batsmen Adrian Waters and Chris Doyle. Waters was first go when caught behind by Steele off James Woodhead for two.
Nathan Hopley and George Walker consolidated until two overs before drinks when Brown was reintroduced into the attack and had Hopley caught behind for 25.
At drinks Taipans were 4-6 which was the identical score to that of the Hornets at the same stage.
The match then changes when Hornets lost three fit young players to prior engagements leaving them with only nine fielders which included Brady (bad back), Scott Duncan (torn calf) and Brown (too old).
Walker and Hugh Morrison on resumption took to the bowling with large gaps everywhere in the field.
Stand-in captain Potts was waving his arms like a traffic cop, with fielders doing their best to understand what he wanted, but in the end old heads prevailed and catches taken. James McDougall, Nicholl and Beau Abnett were exceptional in the field.
Taipans finally bowled out for 166.