Adam De Cicco was a handy contributor with the ball at the weekend, snaring two wickets in the Tigers’ win.
Cobram has once again reinforced its status as the team to beat in the Murray Valley Cricket Association A grade competition as finals draw closer, prevailing on day two over a spirited Barooga side to take the points and consolidate its lead at the top.
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Heading into the second day of play on Saturday at Barooga Recreation Reserve, the Tigers were locked in a tight battle with the Hawks, with the home side having bowled the reigning premiers out for 216 on day one, although Cobram struck late to have the hosts 1-27 at stumps, still needing 190 for victory.
Skipper Riyaad Henry and Murphy Stephens resumed the batting for Barooga, but it would take less than four overs for Cobram to find a second scalp on day two, and it was the big one of Hawks captain Henry, trapped LBW by Adam DeCicco as the home side fell to 2-47.
Stephens would succumb two overs later, with Jeremy Baden joining the action for Cobram. The Tigers were beginning to assert themselves, with Barooga three down with 53 runs on the board.
Cobram skipper Jimmy Daniel has his side perfectly positioned ahead of a big finals campaign.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
The Tigers were operating on a tight line and length, strangling Barooga’s run rate as batters Crue Lucas and Zach Dunn managed 23 runs from the following 12 overs before the Tigers’ persistence finally paid off, with Dunn dismissed for four from 37 to leave the Hawks in serious trouble at 4-71.
Cobram’s relentless approach continued, leaking only 16 runs from the next 11 overs, again leading to a wicket, with Shaun Downie snaring his second to remove Harvey Johnson, as Barooga sank further to 5-89.
Lucas looked determined, reaching 30 in an attempt to extricate the Hawks from the trouble they found themselves in, but he would last only a further four overs before being dismissed, leaving the scoreboard to read 6-97, and Barooga still needing 120 runs to claim first innings points.
Wickets in consecutive overs shortly after left Barooga teetering dangerously at 8-113, and while Hugh Sutton provided some late firepower with 32 off 58, the damage was done for the Hawks, who were bowled out for 160.
It was an all-round team performance by Cobram with the ball, too, with Jeremy Baden (2-19), Downie (2-26) and De Cicco (2-45) claiming two wickets each, while Lachlan Hyde (1-9), Jimmy Daniel (1-10), Noah Sneddon (1-12) and Tyron Baden (1-21) snared a scalp each.
The Tigers batted on for 27 overs in the second dig, reaching 2-160 at a handy clip of 5.9 runs per over, with Daniel Ellis (63) and Bodey Webb (54) both posting half centuries.
The win further consolidates Cobram’s standing at the point, where it enjoys a huge 17-point lead over second-placed Nathalia, albeit having played an extra game, and sets up a huge top-of-the-table clash between the two sides this week.
Elsewhere in round 12, Nathalia earned a handy win over Deniliquin, chasing down the 167 set for victory with three wickets in hand before posting a total of 9-208, with Emile Haratbar contributing a team-high 64, well supported by 41 from number seven Ash Quinn.
The victory gives Nathalia breathing room in second spot following Barooga’s loss to Cobram, now a win and half a bonus point clear of the Hawks, who sit in third.
In the other fixture, Katunga was unable to avoid being bowled out for a paltry total after resuming at 8-56 against Katamatite, ending its first innings with 84 on the board.
The Swans fared much better in their second dig, compiling a mammoth 283 after a brilliant 95 not out to Nash Siermans and a well made 65 to Brayden Beaton; however, it counted for little as the Tigers took the points.
Round 13, the penultimate round before finals, will see three brilliant fixtures this weekend, with Cobram and Nathalia clashing at Nathalia Showgrounds, while at the other end of the ladder last-placed Tocumwal will host Katunga, as it looks to secure its maiden win of the season.
Rounding out the contests is the clash between third-placed Barooga and fourth-placed Deniliquin, with both sides looking to bounce back from defeat in round 12.
