After a horror start to its Murray Valley Cricket Association Premier Division season, the Combine was relegated to Division 1 after the one day matches finished.
Losing the first five games of the Premier season put the side firmly on the back foot, but since dropping a division, the Combine has kicked out of first gear and its upturn in fortunes started in round eight of Division 1 action against local rivals Cobram.
Dismissing the visitors for 151 thanks to strong bowling efforts from Matt Watson (3/20) and Joel Ashcroft (2/5) set the home side up for a maiden victory.
And the batsmen duly delivered.
Led by captain and number five bat, Mitch Richmann who picked up 57, the Combine waltzed to 5/156 off just 25 overs to take the game.
It was the mark of a new beginning for Cobram-Yarroweyah.
Just a week after their important streak-breaking game, they backed it up with another crucial win against Berrigan.
Having set a paltry total of 96 all out, courtesy of a strong spell from Berrigan’s Zachary Taylor (2/10), the Combine had their backs against the wall for the second innings.
The game looked done and dusted, but for an incredible period of bowling from the Combine’s Ayden Latessa.
In his eight overs, Latessa managed to gather five wickets and a maiden while conceding 31 runs. The spell effectively won the Combine the game as they dismissed Berrigan all out for 80.
And now with a break until play starts back on January 12, the side is in a far better position than it was a month ago.
The stars of the side so far have been the skipper Richmann, who averages a touch under 35 a game, according to MyCricket; and unsurprisingly, Latessa tops the charts for bowling, with six wickets from just 13 overs.
Chances of a premiership charge in MVCA Division 1 might appear slim for United — with just five rounds remaining in the normal season.
But a semi-final berth is not out of the question if the side can keep up its recent form, and who knows what that could lead onto.
Cobram-Yarroweyah United president Brett Andrew was approached, but did not respond to The Courier’s calls before deadline.
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