THE measure of a great sports team is the way they handle adversity and respond when the chips are down.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemens have done just that.
After dropping their opening three matches of the season, Ex-Servos has rattled off back-to-back wins - with the latest coming at the expense of the previously undefeated Berry-Shoalhaven Heads.
Daniel Gleeson's Ex-Servos, who played in three grand finals last season, won the toss at the Berry Sports Complex and chose to bat.
Skipper Gleeson was the first to fall for 16 before fellow opener Brandon Booth (four) soon followed.
Manning Berry came and went for eight before Blake Munilla could only add two runs - leaving the visitors at 4/53.
But a handy 29 from Sam Watts and a 93-run sixth-wicket partnership from Corey Evans (86) and Sam Bagnall (46) laid the platform for the visitors solid total of 7/218, from their 45 overs.
Nathan Tyrrell finished at 17 not out for Ex-Servos.
Related content: Hall headlines Greater Illawarra's Country Colts team
With the white ball, the hosts were led by Harrison Temple (3/41) and Daniel Troy (2/28) - with Dale Lovatt (1/32) and Jacob Temple (1/48) taking one wicket each.
In reply, the Magpies started strongly, reaching 59 before captain David Crapp was dismissed for 42 by Graham Phillis.
Fellow opener Dylan Cosgrove followed soon after for 16 before a courageous 32 from Jarrod Mitchell got the Magpies back into the contest.
Harrison Temple (47) then did what he could in the chase but received little support, as Nathan Thomas (15), Troy (14) and Daniel Watson (10) all got starts but couldn't go on with it.
The Magpies were eventually all out for 194 in the 41st over, handing Ex-Servos the 24-run victory.
With the ball, Rocky Ninovic continued his strong start to the campaign, claiming 5/51 from his nine overs - taking his total to 12 for the season.
Phillis (2/30) and Tyrrell (2/31) both took multiple wickets while Bagnall (1/17) chimed in with one.
North Nowra-Cambewarra, who are yet to record a win this season, had the bye in round six.
This result sees Ex-Servos (26 points) move up into third on the ladder, while Berry (52) falls behind leaders Ulladulla United (52) into second - with Bomaderry (26) in fourth and Norths (zero) in fifth.
Looking ahead to round seven, the Magpies hosts Norths at the Berry Sports Complex and Ex-Servos battle Bomaderry at Hayden Drexel Oval, with competition front-runners United having the week off.