SOMETIMES you can get lopsided contests in Twenty20 cricket and other times you can get absolute thrillers and the crowd at No.1 Oval on Friday night were certainly treated to the latter.
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Wicketkeeper Keiran Brien belted 15 runs off the final four balls of the match to help Christie's Crackerjacks to a three-wicket win over Rugby and, in the process, move one step closer to a spot in the McDonald's Megahit final.
Chasing Rugby's total of 157, Macquarie appeared to have wasted a good start when they limped to 7-140 after the 19th over.
Rugby skipper Jordan Moran threw the ball to youngster Blake Watmore, who at the time had figures of 1-9 off three overs.
Watmore's first ball was a dot, leaving the Crackerjacks in need of 18 off five balls.
Wade Burrowes (7no) then hit a three, leaving Brien on strike and 15 required off the final four deliveries.
The Crackerjacks skipper then went long with a six before putting the next two deliveries to the boundary.
It then was as easy as a single off the final ball which the pair managed to secure a thrilling victory.
While Brien, who finished 23no, was the hero it was James O'Brien who had set the innings up with the classy 55 at the top of the order.
Ben Patterson was the pick of the Rugby bowlers, taking 2-21 off his four overs.
Earlier, Rugby had flexed its muscle with openers Jordan Moran (40) and Michael Kempston (50) sharing an 86-run stand but, outside of Nathan Munro (40), no other batsman could reach double figures as they failed to capitalise on the good start.
Jacob Harvey took 3-39 off four overs as Macquarie reeled in Rugby, who at one stage had threatened to make in excess of 180.
