In round seven of the Murray Valley Cricket Association, the A-grade Deni Rhinos were up against the so far undefeated Cobram Tigers.

It was to be the match of the round, with plenty of excitement and ladder consequences for many clubs.

The Rhinos had a few changes because of the Hay races and an injury to the in-form Brad Todd.

The Rhinos’ round six man of the match, Brodie Bennett, was also unavailable.

Anthony Bradley, Hamish Baker, Lachlan Marshall and Dushan Rathwatte all made a return to the A-grade side.

It was another tough day with the temperature in the mid-30s.

Cobram won the toss and unsurprisingly elected to bat on their home pitch.

Cobram were very solid early, adding 31 for the first wicket.

Matt Taylor and Andrew Hogan bowled well conceding less than three runs per over.

Leg spinner Lachlan Holloway struck first putting one through the defence of Hugh Hyde.

The Rhinos were going with spin at both ends.

Boddie Arthur had the dangerous Daniel Ellis caught brilliantly by Bradley with a classic catch at cover.

Ellis hit the ball hard only to see Bradley dive full-length to his right and hold the catch just above the ground.

Lachlan Hyde was out the very next ball hitting a leading edge back to Arthur.

Cobram had gone from a comfortable position to 3-40 after 15 overs.

Jim Daniels was joined by Adam DeCiccio.

This pair has an impressive record with both bat and ball against the Rhinos.

Saturday, however, would not be DeCiccio’s day falling LBW to Holloway for two.

Daniels and Tyron Baden swung the game in Cobram’s favour, adding 75 for the fifth wicket.

The pair were scoring singles easily and adding four or five runs most overs.

Baden tried to hit Hogan out of the ground but fell short and into the safe hands of Arthur at deep long off.

Hogan then struck again quickly having Hardwidge LBW.

Manny Artavilla was Hogan’s third wicket, bowled by a good delivery that cut off the pitch for 4.

Jaxon Webb was unlucky when Holloway got one to stay low, plumb LBW.

The Rhinos were on top with Cobram crashing to 8-130.

Daniels was still there unbeaten on 50.

Jeremy Baden came out playing his shots and looked much better than a number 10.

The pair added a valuable 32 runs.

Hamish Baker ended the innings of Baden, bowled for 26.

Prem Muppidi was bowling tightly and was rewarded with the final wicket of Hunter Hardwidge.

Holloway held the catch at mid-on to close the Cobram innings at 174.

Daniels carried his bat for an unbeaten 63, which is a rare occurrence in the MVCA A-grade and was an amazing physical effort.

From the bowling, there were three wickets to Hogan and Holloway while Arthur finished with two.

The Rhinos were disappointed about the last two wickets adding 45 runs and would have much preferred to be chasing between 130 to 140 than 175.

The innings started badly for the Rhinos with Arthur being run out at the bowler’s end on the second ball of the innings.

Hogan joined Griegan French and importantly for the Rhinos the pair added 151 runs for the second wicket.

The pair batted with class and did not offer any chances to the Cobram team.

Hogan was hampered with injury and fatigue but still managed to find the gaps.

French was dismissed in the 40th over for 65 (113 balls).

Cobram had bowled tightly, and the Rhinos still needed 24 runs off the remaining five overs.

Matt Taylor was elevated up the order but copped a good first ball from DeCiccio.

Taylor was LBW and the Rhinos were 3-151.

Hogan was the key for the batting team, aiming to guide the Rhinos home.

Bradley scored a run a ball five before being caught at square leg, getting the Rhinos to 4-163 in over 42.

Rathwatte joined Hogan to get the 12 runs required off 20 balls.

Cobram thought they had Hogan run-out in the 43rd over, but the square leg umpire thought otherwise.

There was a bit of heated discussion from the Cobram players and several supporters at the bar.

The pair took 10 runs off the 43rd over, including a lofted four by Rathwatte over mid-on.

The Rhinos pushed a couple of singles in the 44th over to win the game with seven balls to spare.

Hogan finished unbeaten on 88 (139 balls) in a man of the match performance.

Rhinos coach John Arthur said that this was perhaps Hogan’s best-ever innings, overcoming pain and restricted movement.

Arthur was full of praise for the entire team.

Cobram captain Jim Daniels completed a great game only conceding 24 runs off his nine overs.

This win was the first time the Rhinos had beaten Cobram since round eight in the 2020-2021 season.

The result leaves no undefeated teams in the competition, tightening results at the top.

This Saturday, the Rhinos will host Tocumwal in the first of the two-day games for the season.

MVCA A-grade ladder: Nathalia 36 (points), Cobram 36, Rhinos 33, Katamatite 27, Tocumwal 12, Berrigan 12, Barooga 12, Finley 0.

Deniliquin Pastoral Times Google News Panels

Thursday, 22nd February 2024

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