BLASTERS coach Shane Burley insists nobody had given up.
"It's just the Newcastle mentality," Burley said.
But when the Blasters' ninth wicket fell for 60, chasing 102 for victory against Coffs Harbour Chargers in their Regional Bash qualifier at Port Macquarie last Sunday, it's fair to say Burley and his men were clinging to hope, rather than exuding confidence.
In walked the rookie of the team, Newcastle City all-rounder Aidan Cahill, to join another teenaged tyro, University's Mitchell Lole.
Together they conjured up a remarkable 47-run escape act that ensured the Blasters have qualified for the semi-finals of the T20 tournament, to be held at the SCG.
Having earlier taken 2-14 bowling first change, No.11 Cahill blasted 29 from 12 balls, including four sixes, one of which struck a passing car. He brought up the winning runs by hitting three "maximums" in the space of four balls.
Lole also finished 29 not out, from 23 balls.
"We got out of jail thanks to the young blokes, but it wasn't a complete surprise," Burley said. "We never felt like we were out of it. We knew we good depth and we batted all the way down.
"I was probably doing Aidan a disservice batting him at No.11, but we had a guy like Josh Geary at No.9, so that just shows how strong our batting line-up was."
In Newcastle's round-one win, against Macquarie Coast Stingers, Cahill took 2-15 from 3.5 overs.
Cahill's performance was a reminder of the potential that last season earned him a position in Cricket Australia's under-17 squad last season after excelling for NSW at the national titles.
Burley said the South African-born youngster, who attends Lambton High School, had all the attributes for a successful career.
"He's a proper cricketer," Burley said.
"He bowled first change for us and got a couple of wickets and, throw in his batting, and he's a genuine all-rounder.
"He's a big strong kid, comes from a good family. He's got a bright future."
Burley said Cahill was now in contention for selection in a new-look Newcastle team to compete at the NSW Country Championships, to be held on the Central Coast from November 27-29.
Meanwhile, reigning Regional Bash champions Lake Mac Attack launch their title defence at Scone on Sunday.
Lake Mac will play Central Coast in the first qualifier, with Hunter Valley then taking on Tamworth.
The two winners will play off for a berth in the semi-finals.
For the first time, the draw allows for both Lake Mac Attack and Newcastle Blasters to potentially meet in the tournament decider.
** THE opening round of a new, improved Masters (over-35) T20 tournament was washed out on Wednesday.
The competition has expanded to 12 teams this season, which will include a first-time entry from Stockton, to be skippered by club stalwart and former Newcastle Knight John Allanson.
The other new additions this season are two teams from the Suburban District Competition, Kotara and Fletcher/Maryland, as well as a second team based at Harker Oval, Wests Phoenix.
Hamilton-Wickham, skippered by former rep star Darren Herbert, will be chasing their third Masters trophy in as many years.
The next round of games will be played on Wednesday, with the final scheduled for December 11.
** THE annual Bradman Cup (under-16) and NSW Country Colts (under-18) carnivals will have a new format this season because of coronavirus protocols.
Rather than all eight zones meeting at a central venue, the carnivals will be split into northern and southern pools.
Newcastle will play in the northern pool against Central Coast, North Coast and Central North in Tamworth.
The southern-pool games will be played in Albury.
All matches will be 50 overs a side.
** CRICKET NSW will be holding free training course for junior cricket coaches at Hunter Sports High in November and December.
Contact Francis Walsh (francis.walsh@cricketnsw.com.au) or Tim Cox (tim.cox@cricketnsw.com.au) for details.
** FORMER Merewether fast bowler Michael Hogan will continue his professional career past his 40th birthday.
Glamorgan announced recently that 39-year-old Hogan, who joined them in 2012 after a successful Sheffield Shield career with Western Australia, had agreed to a one-season contract extenison.
Hogan has taken 539 wickets for Glamorgan across all three formats and was hailed by the club's director of cricket, Mark Wallace, as "arguably one of our greatest ever bowlers".
"Age is just a number and it's been well documented I started late, so I feel like I've still got a few more years in me to perform for Glamorgan," Hogan told the club website.
"I have a lot I still want to achieve in the game and one of those goals it to win a trophy.
"My ambition now is more to bring on the younger bowlers through and I feel we're pretty close to that."
** NEWCASTLE'S Jason Sangha faces a nervous wait to learn if he has been retained in the NSW team for the Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland, starting in Adelaide on Friday.
Recalled for the season-opening draw against Western Australia, Sangha made only seven and took 0-73 in a high-scoring match.
With Test paceman Mitchell Starc available to return, the Blues will almost certainly field a changed XI.
** FORMER Novocastrian Corinne Hall will be eager to lead Hobart Hurricanes to their first victory of the WBBL season when they face Brisbane Heat on Saturday.
The Hurricanes have endured a frustrating start to the season, after a loss and a washout in their two games.
