A BLAZING Josh Croft century wasn’t enough to see the Armidale Second XI steal a semi-final spot in the MA Connolly Cup.
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Croft blasted 101 from 135 balls in Armidale’s huge win over Bingara at the Armidale Sportsground on Sunday.
Armidale faced a must-win assignment in Sunday’s final round match, but still needed other results to fall their way to advance.
That didn’t happen with Manilla thrashing Glen Innes. The final tables are yet to be calculated by Central North Cricket, but it appears Armidale will finish third behind Inverell and Manilla and just miss out on a semi-final berth.
Armidale were sent in by Bingara and that decision backfired quickly for the visitors with Kyle Taylor (47) and Aaron Whackett (12) putting on a 68-run opening stand. Armitage played second fiddle while Croft smashed six boundaries and a six at the other end.
Whackett and Taylor departed in quick succession, but that only brought skipper Tom Armitage (25) and Croft to the crease who would go on to add 89 for the third wicket. Sam Uphill (36) provided a late boost to drive Armidale’s total to 5-257 after their 50 overs.
Uphill (5-20) tore through the Bingara top order to cap off a tremendous all-round effort.
Andrew Skinner (2-7) and John Elliot (2-0) also chimed in to help Armidale bundle out Bingara for just 90 inside 25 overs. At this stage Armidale will not progress, but that will be confirmed later in the week.