Strong bowling at the death from stand-in skipper Ben Houghton helped deliver the Valleys their first win of the season, defeating the Cambridge Cats in a thriller by two runs.
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Houghton took 3/26 as the hosts defended a miserly 163 in overcast conditions at Holman Oval. He was ably assisted by the returning Ben Coles, who took 3/28 with four maidens, while Al Lovett's 1/15 was crucial in curtailing the run rate late.
For the Cats part, Anthony Riach, said the side had a bit to think about, after having the home team on the ropes at 8/113 when they chose to bat.
However, an unbeaten 49-run partnership between the Valleys' Jared Mason (32*) and Riley Marsh (31*) proved crucial, the pair pushing the Valleys out to a defendable total, with the Cats' reduced line-up unable to chase the total down.
"We probably let it slip," the opener, who scored a quick fire 41, said after the game.
"Our top order could've done a hell of a lot better."
Like the Valleys, the Cats had a tough time of it early when they set out to chase down the total, with Ben Coles taking two wickets in an over to make it 6/96 just after drinks.
However, Riach was philosophical about the loss, noting the perseverance of his lower order on a tricky wicket.
"That wicket was really, really tough: Poppy and soft. The tail order did a really good job."
Nevertheless, with his side losing their first match for the season after wash-out the week prior, Riach wasn't getting carried away, with plenty of ins, including Anthony Heraghty, Zachary Bayliss and Clinton Hawke, on their way back to improve a young side that only lost by two runs.
"They're three of our more experienced guys, so they'll be very handy inclusions," Riach said.
However, with the Valleys missing their own fair-share of experience, Houghton was rapt to get a win after disappointing opening round performance.
"We batted a lot better than we did last week and scored an extra sixty which was the difference in the end," the all-rounder said, making specific mention of Jared Mason and Riley Marsh's winning partnership.
"They both got thirty there at the end which proved to be a winning partnership basically.
"They made it look easy out there, which it wasn't."
Houghton also paid tribute to his other bowlers for turning the tables on the Cats, who rallied from 6/96 to be at 6/136 with seven overs of play remaining.
"We bowled pretty tight there at the end, we made the batters make the errors," he explained.
"Everyone bowled really well. A lot of people chipped in there, which is what you need to win a game."
With Jacob McNaught, skipper Greg Garlick and Scott Wilson all experienced players who will walk back into the team's starting XI, Houghton said fitting them in will be a good problem for his team to have, with contributors galore in Saturday's win.
"Luckily it won't be my problem when the captain comes back," Houghton joked.
"All the players that came in today stepped up and did their part."
The Valleys have the bye this weekend, before travelling to play the Reedy Creek Raptors in Parkes.
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