It’s still Cobram at the top, however, with the Tigers entering the festive period more than 17 points clear following a demolition of Tocumwal on Saturday, albeit having played an extra game compared to their closest rivals.
Hosting the Bloods at Cobram Showgrounds, the Tigers were asked to bowl after losing the toss; however, 30 dot balls inside the first six overs ensured they were immediately on top of the contest, and the build-up of pressure eventually paid dividends, with Adam De Cicco breaking through to bowl Tocumwal opener Lachlan Brennan and leave the visitors down 1-14.
Cobram made scoring tough for the Bloods over the next eight overs, as they added only 16 runs before Tyron Baden would further reduce them to 2-30; however, the visitors enjoyed handy partnerships for the third and fourth wickets, adding 23 and 26, respectively, until Jimmy Daniel snared his first of the afternoon to leave Tocumwal 4-79, and the Tigers pounced.
In the following 15 overs, Cobram dried up the scoring while Noah Sneddon (3-23), Darcy Pridham-McCormack (2-3) and Daniel (2-20) ran riot, inducing a catastrophic collapse of Tocumwal’s middle and lower order, as the visitors lost their final seven wickets for 29 runs to be all out for 108 after 42.3 overs.
In reply, Cobram needed only 20 overs to reach the 109 required for victory, as Hugh Hyde and Bodey Webb piled on 33 at more than six runs per over in a quickfire opening stand, which came to an end when Webb was bowled for 18 in the fifth over.
Hyde batted on with Daniel Ellis, the pair contributing 28 and 8, respectively, until they too were dismissed, leaving Cobram at 3-67, as the job fell to De Cicco and Baden to guide the Tigers home.
They did so with aplomb, as De Cicco finished unbeaten on 25 and Baden not out on 23, helping the Tigers secure a seven-wicket win and preserve their margin at the top heading into the Christmas break.
Elsewhere, Nathalia ensured it remained in second spot over Christmas after a brutal beating of Katunga at Nathalia Showgrounds, chasing down 109 for a nine-wicket win inside 15 overs.
Scotty Morris led the charge with the ball after the home side won the toss and chose to field, snaring 3-21, and was well supported by Liam Evans (2-9) and Brenton Campbell (2-11), as Katunga faltered to be all out for 108 despite solid showings from opener Tyler Green (26) and Brayden Beaton (24 not out).
It was a bloodbath with the bat, as Zander Quinn powered the home side to the win in rapid time, blasting 65 not out from 52 deliveries, aided by an unbeaten 35 off the blade of Emile Haratbar, as Nathalia romped to a fifth victory of the season.
The win keeps Nathalia in second by 0.54 points, too, as Barooga also claimed victory by four wickets over Katamatite at Katamatite Recreation Reserve.
Opting to bowl after winning the toss, Barooga found tough opposition in Katamatite opener Jude Keates, who belted 61 off 60; however, the Hawks fought back through Samuel Leigh (4-42) and Riyaad Henry (3-38), bowling the Tigers out for 162 in 38 overs.
A 68-run partnership for the second wicket between Murphy Stephens (25) and Henry (35) set up Barooga’s chase, which was finished off by Zach Dunn (23 not out) and Jonathon Oliver (22 not out) as Barooga reached 163 six wickets down, after Katamatite’s Harry Paterson briefly threatened to derail the Hawks’ chase, snaring 3-36.
The competition will resume on January 10 with one-day contests, as Barooga hosts Katunga, Katamatite will welcome Nathalia and Tocumwal will travel to Deniliquin, while Cobram has an extra week off with the bye.
