U18 State Champs: Qualifying finalists decided despite rain ruining round 3

The Pride confirmed top spot in Group C of the competition with a close win over the Inner East Emus in a rain-reduced 30-over match.

Batting first, the Pride started brilliantly as Matt Dyke (34) got his side off to a flyer.

The Emus fought their way back into the match however, at one stage picking up 3-1 in a short space of time.

Jackson McMahon (17*) and Devin Pollock (12*) steadied the ship before the Pride’s innings was closed at 4-98 (30).

Aditya Narayana did the damage with the ball for the Emus, picking up 2-23 (7).

The Emus’ run chase couldn’t have started any worse than it did, losing both openers before a run had been scored.

The Pride took consistent wickets throughout the chase, Jack Rieschel (2-12) and Kade Burns (2-23) getting the job done.

When the score reached 7-89 the Emus considered themselves a big chance.

That hope quickly faded though as the Pride cleaned up the tail by taking 3-3, dismissing the Emus for 92 – just seven runs short of a finals berth.

The Pride will take on the Central Highlands (2nd in Group D) in a quarter final today – the winner going through to tomorrow’s semi finals.

The Northern Falcons (1st Group D) will play the North East Knights (2nd Group C), the Northern Rivers (1st Group A) come up against the North West Wizards (2nd Group B), and the Barwon Rockets (1st Group B) take on the South East Bayside Breakers (2nd Group A) in the remaining quarter finals today.

The Falcons did have some action on Tuesday, as their match against the Outer East Eagles was abandoned after 32 overs.

The Eagles were progressing well after winning the toss and batting first, scoring 3-134 (Anthony Brolic 39*, Lincoln Wong 30) before rain halted play for the day.

In the only other match to get under way, Clayton Campbell (71* off 75 balls) got in some valuable batting practice as his Wizards raced to 2-114 (22.1) against the Western Waves before the game was called off.

All other matches were abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Hopefully the rain will stay away for the all-important finals beginning today.