BARHAM/KOONDROOK and Leitchville/Gunbower increased their lead over the remainder of the Northern District Cricket Association A Grade competition, recording wins on Saturday.
The victories were the seventh for both the border side and the defending premiers this season, with the teams on track to meet in the second semi-final on March 4.
The Cohuna Recreation Reserve’s second oval provided a batsmen’s delight for Barham/Koondrook’s Paul Molin, who fell for 99 in his team’s five-wicket win against Nondies.
Sent in to bat first, Harrison Keely (49) and Lachlan Holmes (56 not out) also enjoyed the batting conditions to help the hosts reach 9/177 off its 45 overs.
The total could have been significantly lower thanks to the efforts of Jack Thomas, who took three wickets, but a 40-run 10th-wicket stand between Holmes and Brandon Keely gave the hosts a suitable title to defend.
Liam Treacy’s early dismissal of Blake Chant gave the hosts the chance to bowl to the border side’s middle order, but a 66-run second-wicket partnership between Molin and Matthew Thomas proved to be pivotal.
Brandon Keely claimed the key scalp of Molin, leaving the visitors needing 27 runs to win, but Marc O’Neill and Mick O’Toole remained at the crease at the end of Barham/Koondrook’s 45 overs, with the team scoring 5/204.
The loss leaves Nondies fourth on the ladder with four wins, but three victories clear of fifth-placed Cohuna United, which gave Leitchville/Gunbower a scare at the weekend before going down by four wickets.
Sent in to bat, Ian Mathers (29) was the only batsman to reach double figures as Thomas Dehne (six wickets) dominated with the ball to help dismiss United for 61 in the 33rd over.
Cooper Neil proved to be just as damaging for the hosts, claiming the first four wickets in Leitchville/Gunbower’s reply to leave the visitors reeling at 4/12.
Jason Keath (39) and Brad Windridge (24) rebuilt the innings, with Pieter Van der Kooik (84 not out), playing his first A Grade match, helping to secure the win and enabling the defending premiers to reach 9/173 in reply.
