James McDougall played the game of his life to help Harden Hornets to a seven-run victory over Yass Pirates at O’Connor Park on Saturday.
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There was nothing McDougall did not do with either bat, ball or in the field that did not turn to gold.
Hornets captain Kai Steele said after the game that without McDougall’s all round efforts it would have been a long drive back to Harden.
Steele won the toss and chose to bat with a weakened team after a number of last minute withdrawals.
Steele and Paul Potts got the innings away to a cautious start and was not until the tenth over when Steele (15) middled a short pitch delivery from Jessie Collins straight into the bread basket of Rex Stacey at square leg, that a wicket fell.
Jeff Brown looked in good touch until a lazy shoot saw him play down the wrong line and was bowled by Vin Winnell for nine.
Potts then hit Stacey over midwicket fence for six and straight into the Yass River.
James Woodhead (7) came and went and Scott Duncan was bowled for a golden duck.
At drinks Hornets were in all sorts of trouble at 4-67.
After drinks wickets continued to fall with that of Potts finally out for 24, Jack Nicholls (7), Kelvin Brown (16) and Beau Abnett (3).
This brought McDougall and Brodie Steele together for a match winning partnership of 16.
McDougall’s previous high score of two was quickly eclipsed with power hitting through the leg side.
Brodie was finally run out for two and explained to his father that he had just become too tired to run!
McDougall then put on a another valuable partnership of nine with Philip Woodhead before he was bowled for a career high 24.
Hornets were all out for 131.
Pirates innings got off to the worst possible start when Jessie Collins (2) was magnificently caught by McDougall.
Toby Serafin then followed for a duck when caught by Potts at point off Woodhead.
Josh Lawrence was then the key for Pirates scoring at faster than a run a ball. At 4-75 Pirates were a big show for victory.
Enter McDougall again, a short pitched delivery into the rib cage of Cam Shephard saw Jack Nicholls take the easiest of catches.
Pirates continued to gather runs and at 8-124 were in box seat and Hornets were home by seven runs.
