After restricting their rivals to 8-116, Blackstars slumped to 4-30 at drinks after impressive spells from Cody Tully and Clint Heuir.

But the reigning premiers quickly settled into a scoring groove when play restarted.  Andy Cullis (44 not out) and captain Andrew Lawrenson (31 not out) lifted the tempo to help Blackstars reach the target with more than an over to spare.

Lawrenson, who snared 3-8 with the ball earlier in the day, said the victory was set up by a strong performance in the field.

“I was very happy to keep them (Townview) to that total in a Twenty20 match. It was a good effort by the boys,” he said.

“We fielded well and didn’t drop any catches.

“We were feeling pretty confident when we came into bat.”

Lawrenson, however, credited the Townview bowlers for forcing Blackstars’ top order into risky shots.

“They bowled tight lines and the boys had to take a few chances and play across the line and go over the top,” he said.

“That got us into a bit of trouble.”

But Lawrenson said he and Cullis didn’t panic in the final 10 overs, even though the required run rate was nudging nine.

“We took a couple of chances and they paid off,” he said.

“When we went back out after drinks, we scored 11 off the first over and then another 10 in the next.”

With the Twenty20 competition decided, the Mount Isa Cricket Association reverts to a 40-over format for the rest of the season.

Lawrenson said Saturday’s win had Blackstars feeling confident for the remainder of the summer.