Garry Davidson, left, suffered a hamstring injury against Jung Tigers yesterday but batted on to score an unbeaten century. Picture: AYESHA SEDGMAN
As the old saying goes, 'catches win matches'.
Unfortunately for Jung Tigers on Saturday, they simply couldn't hold the prized catch of Horsham Saints skipper Gary Davidson.
Davidson, who was dropped on 14 and 83, made the Tigers pay with an unbeaten century, which included 17 boundaries and a six.
Despite suffering a hamstring injury late in his knock, the classy left-hander batted on to bring up his milestone in the final over of the Saints' 35-run victory. He batted the entire 45 overs, with great support from Steven Leith, 34, Ben Sawyer, 24, and Luke Brunckhorst, 24, to get the Saints to 5-233.
"It was very tough batting conditions out there. I needed a bit of luck to survive and I certainly got that," Davidson said.
"I didn't really know what score I was on but I was just trying to get as many runs as I could for the team."
Duo Marty Knight, 2-30, and Steve Kenny, 2-41, tried hard with the ball but lacked support.
Things started to get ugly for the Tigers in the 37th over, when David Laffy was hit for 13 runs. Dale Dridan went for 19 the next over, setting up the Saints' big total.
Jung never looked comfortable in its run chase, losing wickets at regular intervals.
Knight played well for his 47 and the lower-order revival from Dridan, 39 not out, and Paul Clough, 21 not out, helped the Tigers to 9-198.
Off-spinner Bruckhorst was the pick of the Saints' bowlers, finishing with 3-38 off his 10 overs.
Speedster Thilan Kariyawasam, 2-29, and swing bowler Sawyer, 2-39, also bowled well.
Rup-Minyip returned to the winners' circle with an eight-run victory over top side Homers at Minyip Oval.
The Blue Panthers were missing an array of stars including Paul, Craig and Glenn Morgan, but opener Brett Hudson stood up with a timely half-century, while Adam Carter took 4-51.
A captain's knock from Noradjuha-Toolondo's Matt Combe, 108, led his side to a 23-run win over Laharum at Sunnyside.
Blackheath-Dimboola kept its finals hopes alive with a four-wicket win over cellar dwellers Colts at Dudley Cornell Park.