A mighty knock of 93 by all rounder Ben Patterson almost got the Campbelltown Ghosts home in the first round of the 2020-21 premiership.
When he walked in to bat against Northern Districts at Raby on Saturday afternoon, the Ghosts were looking down the barrel of almost certain defeat.
Chasing 268 for victory the home side had lost four wickets and had scored just 62 runs.
They were already in big trouble at 3 for 28 as their top order batsmen departed back to the dressing room.
Patterson, who is a very clever batsman, got to work and gave his team hope they could reach the target.
He got out at the very end of the innings with the Ghosts 8 for 233, just 35 runs short.
Patterson made 93 but a century was his if there were more overs.
He faced just 81 balls, was at the crease for 110 minutes and he hit five boundaries and three sixes.
He had a partnership of 81 with bowler Luke Webb, who was eventually run out.
Patterson also chimed in with the ball, claiming two wickets for 41 runs off nine lively overs.
But it was his batting that stood out in a day when no other Ghosts batsman made a half century.
Spinner Tanveer Sangha made a handy 34, which was in fact the third highest score, Brock Larance having scored 37 before losing his wicket.
Leumeah allrounder Jackson Isakka made 17, but he didn’t get a bowl against Northern Dsitricts.
In round 2, the Ghosts are again at home, this time hosting neighbours Fairfield Liverpool.
The Lions (197) were also first round losers after going down to Randwick Petersham (6 for 255) at Petersham Oval.
