Bayside Leader Coverage Round 2

FOR Brighton, a cakewalk became a crisis that almost ended in calamity.

Chasing Box Hill’s 7-229 at the City Oval on Saturday, the Tonners eased to 1-179 through their former Premier players Charith Cooray and Ricky Damiano.

But Damiano’s dismissal for an even 100 set off a jaw-dropping collapse.

The visitors lost 8-19 to plunge to 9-198, 31 short of their target.

Then came another twist. Cooray had watched batting partners come and go like the traffic on Whitehorse Rd, but the left-hander finally found steady company in No 11 and young leg-spinner Duncan McKenzie and the pair put on 32 to lift Brighton to victory in a tension-filled finish.

Opener Cooray was 97 not out from a 178-ball stay that included 10 fours. McKenzie hit six not out off 13 deliveries, six of the most valuable runs he’ll ever make.

It was a remarkable conclusion to the match after Cooray and Damiano had set up what should have been a comfortable win for the Tonners.

After the loss of Michael Nyary for 10, the pair added 163 and Subbies champion Damiano crafted his second century for the club to go with the nine he made for Caulfield.

Brighton century maker Ricky Damiano hits down the ground.

 

But the Brighton innings disintegrated after his dismissal. Charlie Lowen, Andrew Martin and Jason McNally dipped into the duck pond as the Tonners stumbled to 5-181.

Cooray and Jack Rutter (7) put on 13, but then came another crop of wickets: James Perkins-Stafford for two, Luke Shimmin for one and Samuel Hall-Kahan for a blob as James Pearson (5-70) and the rest of the Box Hill bowlers closed in on a stunning victory.

It wasn’t to be. Cooray and McKenzie turned the Hills back and saw Brighton home, the winning runs from Cooray (with a flip over mid-wicket for three) bringing as much relief as elation.

Brighton stalwart Bernard Mutimer chain-smoked his way through the last few overs as he took in a “sensational’’ finish.

Mutimer said Cooray batted with calm authority.

“Great innings from him to bat all day,’’ he said.