BARHAM/KOONDROOK stunned last season’s Northern District Cricket Association A Grade preliminary finalists, Nondies in a high-scoring affair at Cohuna on Saturday.
Led by Matthew Thomas (98 not out) and Shane Guerra (two wickets and 50 runs), the border side chased down an imposing total of 204 with eight wickets in hand.
The decision to send the home side in first nearly backfired for the eventual victors, with Nondies captain, Josh Novoselek (92) and late-innings hitting from Brandon Keely (42) helping set up an enthralling run chase.
Barham/Koondrook shared its eight wickets around, with Shane Guerra, Thomas Guerra and Lee Marra claiming two scalps each.
Matthew Thomas and Blake Chant (30) put together a 57-run opening wicket stand, with Paul Molin the only other scalp to fall in the match – both claimed by Lachie Harbinson.
The opening batsman and Shane Guerra combined for a 100-plus run stand, with Garry Lolicato joining the scoring fest after Guerra retired.
In Saturday’s other round two game, Leitchville/Gunbower remained undefeated after registering a 60-run win against Cohuna United.
The reigning premiers’ top and middle order batsmen all produced solid starts, with Jason Keath (48) and James Keath (42 not out) helping Leitchville/Gunbower reach 6/182 off its 45 overs.
United’s bowlers put in a strong performance, led by two-wicket efforts from Andrew Neil and Austin Robinson.
It was a different prospect with the bat, with Leitchville/Gunbower’s bowers claiming wickets at regular intervals to dismiss United for 122 in the 44th over.
Daniel Cooke (27) and Marcus Rogers (22) were the only batsmen to surpass 20 runs, with Sam Colvin, Thomas Dehne, Todd Gelletly and James Keath claiming two wickets each.
Grand final turnaround
WANDELLA remains undefeated after two games in the NDCA B Grade competition, defeating reigning premiers, Nondies by 11 runs in a rematch of the 2015/16 decider.
Nondies’ decision to bowl first backfired as Brodey Farley (47) and Ro Oliver (45) combined for a 78-run second-wicket partnership to set up a solid platform for the Bombers to produce a competitive score.
Late wickets to Brady Byrne and Cody Peterken – who snared two scalps each – helped reduce Wandella to 8/169 off their 40 overs.
Nondies’ top order produced with the bat – led by 60 from Paul Donat – but two wickets from Matthew Webb helped restrict the visitors to 3/158 off their 40 overs.
Across at Koondrook, Wes O’Neill (78 retired) helped Barham/Koondrook record an eight-wicket win against Leitchville/Gunbower.
Sent in to bat first, Michael Moritz (30) helped set up a strong stand at the top of the order, but three wickets to Bailey Laursen and Jade Stewart helped dismiss the composite side for 120 with one ball left in their innings.
O’Neill led the way with the bat at the top of the order, with the home side surpassing the required runs with eight wickets in hand.
Barham/Koondrook finished its 40 overs at 7/170, with Leitchville/Gunbower sharing its wickets around.
In the final match of the round, Cohuna United received maximum points after Kerang Fairley Town forfeited.
