COHUNA United has benefited from a second result impacted by rain in as many weeks.
The Northern District Cricket Association’s fourth-placed side shared the points with fifth-placed Barham/Koondrook on Saturday – the final time the sides battling for a first semi-final spot would meet.
United, who still had three wickets in hand, were 27 runs from victory when time was called.
A one-hour suspension of play after 17 overs impacted the match, resulting in the draw.
Earlier in the day, Paul Molin (52) and Jack Thomas (30) helped the border side post 138 off 43 overs.
Austin Robinson claimed three wickets for the home side, who needed to win to extend the gap between fourth and fifth place on the ladder to nine points.
United was in trouble early in its reply, with Mick O’Toole claiming the opening five wickets for Barham/Koondrook.
Daniel Coates (32) helped put together a comeback before time was called.
The result means Barham/Koondrook must win one more match than United in the coming five weeks to make the finals.
Across at Kerang, Leitchville/Gunbower won its ninth match of the season, prevailing by eight runs against Wandella.
Jackson McEwen (44) and Tyler Jones (13) were the only Leitchville/Gunbower batsmen to reach double figures as the Bombers dismissed the ladder leaders for 106 in the 35th over.
Brad Murray was the pick of Wandella’s bowlers, claiming three wickets.
Isaac Hogan (34) helped the Bombers reach 4/76, but the loss of the 2015/16 recruit sparked a collapse that saw the final six wickets fall for 22 runs.
Jason Keath claimed three wickets to dismiss Wandella for 98 in the 37th over.
Border side stunned
COHUNA United improved its chances of claiming NDCA B Grade first semi-final hosting rights with an upset win against Barham/Koondrook on Saturday.
With the sides on track to meet in next month’s finals, bowlers dominated the final home and away season encounter between the teams.
Peter Taylor and James Wyatt took three wickets each to dismiss Barham/Koondrook for 66 in 31 overs.
Wes O’Neill, Jade Stewart and Matthew Wescombe took two wickets each for Barham/Koondrook, but not before United surpassed the victory target with three wickets in hand.
The loss, as well as the drawn match between Leitchville/Gunbower and Wandella, leaves Barham/Koondrook third on the ladder.
Wandella was well positioned to record a big win against Leitcchville/Gunbower before rain ended the match.
Batting first, Russell Bott (42), Luke Murray (32) and Toby Gray (21) helped the Bombers score 7/145 off 40 overs.
Matt Wilkinson (two wickets) and Billy Fallon (one) had the home side at 3/20 when the match was called off.
Rain also impacted the outcome of Nondies’ eight-wicket win against Kerang Fairley Town.
Sent in to bat, Daniel Higgs (25) and Nathan Moon (25) were the only Kerang Fairley Town batsmen to reach double figures in the side’s innings of 72 off 21.3 overs.
Lachie Harbinson was the chief destroyer for Nondies with six wickets.
Ryan Barnes had the visitors languishing at 2/10 as rain began to fall, but the ladder leaders controlled the match as the conditions improved.
Ryan Holmes (62), Aiden Thompson (47 not out) and Joel Woolhouse (40) helped Nondies score 6/239 off 40 overs.
Barnes led the way for Kerang Fairley Town, claiming three wickets.
