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MORE CRICKET - Giri smashes third century in four hits for Arnold
STRATHDALE-Maristians have proven once again why it should never be under-estimated, no matter how perilous its situation may seem.
And it was certainly perilous 10 overs into its run-chase against Haig Fawkner on Sunday with a spot in Cricket Victoria's Regional Big Bash Twenty20 grand final on the line.
Needing 166 to win at Bell Oval, even the most ardent of Suns' supporters must have been doubting their side's capacity to dig itself out of the massive hole it found itself in at the 10-over mark of their chase: 6-62.
However, in a stunning fightback launched by Daniel Clohesy and then finished off by Linton Jacobs, the Suns (8-169) defied the odds to win by two wickets with two balls to spare.
Jacobs hit the winning runs when he launched Muhammad Naeem (2-41) for six over mid-wicket off the fifth ball of the final over, which had started with the Suns needing nine to win.
Ben DeAraugo (12) struck the first ball of the final over for four with a lofted shot over cover, before he and Jacobs scored singles off the next two deliveries.
With three needed to win off three balls DeAraugo was caught at deep cover.
The batsmen crossed though, bringing Jacobs back on to strike to smack the winning runs as he finished 38 n.o. off 26.
Jacobs and Daniel Clohesy saved the teetering Suns' innings with an 84-run seventh wicket partnership.
Clohesy was in superb touch from outset, although, he did have some luck when he skied a ball to deep mid-wicket on seven.
However, the fielder ran under it and it went over his head for four, with Haig Fawkner left to rue the lapse as Clohesy went on to blast 54 off just 29 balls with five sixes and three boundaries before he was caught at long-off in the 18th over with the Suns still 20 short of victory.
"We were obviously in a tough position in the chase, but we never lost belief and it was a great win. It means a lot to us to get the chance to play in the grand final next week," Suns' T20 captain Cameron Taylor said.
The Suns will take Langwarrin in the grand final at the Junction Oval next Sunday.
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