The two teams played out a thrilling tie in the weekend’s one-day encounter to close the first half of the Ballarat Cricket Association club firsts’ season.

In the end, it came down to a nerve-wracking final-over showdown between Pointies veteran Stephen O’Loughlin and Bulls strike bowler Matt McMahon.

Point needed seven runs for victory, and looked in trouble when McMahon managed to open the over with three dot balls. O’Loughlin then struck consecutive twos to leave the home side needing three runs off the final ball to win.

O’Loughlin drove through extra cover and out towards the boundary, but could only manage another two as the match ended deadlocked on 193 runs apiece.

Captain Jason Knowles led Brown Hill to 6-193 earlier in the day, with his innings of 74 coming from 86 deliveries. Handy knocks from Nathan Edwards (38 not out), Lachlan Briody (25) and Nick Hyden (24) helped carry the Bulls to a more than competitive total.

As they did against Wendouree the round before, O’Loughlin and Daniel White combined together for a significant partnership to help bring Golden Point within striking distance after at one stage being 4-81. The pair put together 90 for the fifth wicket, with White making 30 and O’Loughlin finishing unbeaten on 63 from 67 deliveries.

Knowles completed man of the match honours with 4-33 to add to his earlier half century.

LADDER

Wendouree 36 points

Mt Clear 31

Naps-Sebas 28

North Ballarat 24

Darley 22

Golden Point 21

Ballarat-Redan 21

East Ballarat 18

Brown Hill 15

Coronet City 6

tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au