WANDELLA will go into this weekend’s Northern District Cricket Association A Grade grand final rematch against Leitchville/Gunbower full of confidence following a second consecutive win of the season.
The Bombers’ middle order rallied to help the side defeat Barham/Koondrook by 36 runs at the weekend.
Electing to bat first, Wandella was reeling at 4/12 thanks to the efforts of Garry Lolicato, who finished with four wickets for the border side.
However, an 83-run fifth-wicket stand between Rohan Oliver (60) and Greg Dickson (49) put the Bombers back in contention, with the hosts posting 168 from their 45 overs.
Corey Collins also took four wickets, which included a hat-trick.
Despite the best efforts of Tim Millard (37), the visitors were not able to produce any decent partnerships, with three late wickets from Isaac Hogan helping Wandella dismiss Barham/Koondrook for 132 with 26 balls to spare.
Meanwhile, Nondies recorded its first win of the season, defeating Cohuna United by six wickets.
Sent in to bat first, Ian Mathers (55) and Ashley Burke (35) were United’s leading batsmen, with Josh Treacy (three wickets) and his Nondies teammates restricting their Cohuna Recreation Reserve rivals to 9/162 off its 45 overs.
Jack Donat (70) and Treacy (63) united for a 128-run second-wicket partnership that secured the win, with last season’s semi-finalists recording 4/198 off its 45 overs.
Losing streak ends
KERANG Fairley Town snapped a six-match losing streak at the weekend, producing a seven-run win against fellow NDCA B Grade side, Cohuna United.
Electing to bat first, Brad Lake (36 not out), Stephen Ralston (34) and Colin Holt (25) had the Riverside Park-based team well positioned to snap a losing streak that stretched back to January 21.
However, a five-wicket haul to Zeb Ellwood saw Kerang Fairley Town fall for 146 with 30 balls to spare.
Three early wickets to Ayush Chopra had the hosts reeling at 4/27, before Sam Griffiths (30 not out), Dylan Hird (29) and Callum Neil (20) gave United a slim chance of bouncing back from an opening round loss.
The loss of Hird following a 62-run sixth-wicket stand with Griffiths stunted the hosts’ run chase, with the side finishing its 40 overs at 7/139.
Nondies – who defeated United in round one – made it two wins in two matches following a victory in the grand final rematch against Wandella.
The Bombers posted 7/134 off its 40 overs, thanks to the efforts of Daniel Higgs (39), Brad Murray (23) and Jack Danckert (22) before Andy Rigg (100 not out) guided last season’s runners-up to 6/152 off its 40 overs.
It was a tough day for Wandella’s other B Grade side, with the Wandella Warriors going down to Barham/Koondrook by six wickets.
The Warriors scored 6/172 off its 40 overs, led by an unbeaten century to Jason Williams and his 99-run seventh-wicket stand with Blake Anderson (42 not out), before the border side posted 7/233 in reply.
Justin Marsh (61) and Steven Farrant (51) posted half-centuries for the victors, with Keenan Messer and Daryl Neil taking two wickets each for the hosts.
