THE quest for silverware in the Twenty20 Cup ended in dramatic circumstances for Manly-Warringah at Drummoyne Oval on Sunday afternoon.
After batting first in the quarter-final, the Waratahs only managed to hit a disappointing 5-119, with Ahillen Beadle (39) and Tim Cruickshank (38) the only players to get starts.
Dan Smith’s swashbuckling 61, which included five sixes and four fours, looked to have handed Sydney Cricket Club a comfortable win – but that was before English quick Nathan Buck was handed the ball for a second time.
He grabbed himself a hattrick, dismissing Andrew Lowe, Anthony Mosca and Jake Turner, to give the visitors an almighty sniff at the death.
However, No.11 Matt White eased the butterflies for the home side, finding the rope to finally end Manly’s dramatic comeback.
Cruickshank conceded his team batted poorly.
“The scorecard flattered us,’’ he said.
“Bucky gave us a chance late on, but we didn’t really deserve to be in the contest after how we batted.”
Saturday’s day one against CampbelltownCamden at Raby Oval was called off late Friday due to a waterlogged pitch.
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