Blackstars saw off Panthers to win a tense and low-scoring affair in the Bell & Moir Toyota Mount Isa T40 cricket competition at Captain Cook Oval on Saturday afternoon.
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Blackstars won the toss and decided to send Panthers in to bat.
Jamie Stewart and Ash Benson took early wickets to leave Panthers reeling with three down for nine runs after six overs.
But then Phil Bellinger put his head down to consolidate the Panthers’ innings.
He was eventually out caught on the boundary for 72 runs with only two wickets remaining.
Runs were hard to come by in the long grass of the outfield and no other Panthers batsman reached double figures.
Runs were hard to come by in the long grass of the outfield and no other Panthers batsman reached double figures.
The Pink Panthers were bowled out in the 30th over with the score on 110.
Best bowlers for Blackstars was Andrew Lawrenson with three wickets for 13 runs off his eight over.
Jamie Stewart took two for 13 and Ash Benson, Cam Conlan, Andy Cullis and Scott Kyle all chipped in with one wicket each.
Needing 111 to win, Blackstars had a poor start to the run chase losing two early wickets, Scott Kyle out for a duck and Luke Saunders making just five.
But Andrew Cullis (32) and Cam Conlan (30) came together to score quick runs to take the Blackstars to two wickets for 73 at the 10 over mark.
But when they both departed Panthers were able to apply pressure to the new batsmen.
They collected another two cheap wickets leave Blackstars in a precarious position at six down needing 14 runs to win.
But Jamie Stewart (14no) and Andrew Lawrenson (8no) steadied the ship to win the game with 16 overs to spare.
Best Panthers bowler was Mark Birchley with three for 22. Blain McCormack, Chris Fullilove and Ronnie Snowball all contributed too taking a wicket each.
There is no cricket in Mount Isa this weekend due to the Goldfield Ashes in Charters Towers. Blackstars and Cavaliers are sending down sides for the tournament.
The Mount Isa competition resumes on Saturday, January 28.