MURRABIT has protected their undefeated record with a thrilling one-run win over Barham in the final round of the Swan Hill Pools and Spas T20 tournament.
Needing nine to win off the last over, Barham was looking pretty once Jack Thrum (13 not out) hit three off the second ball and bowler Nathan Henry (1/19) followed it up with a wide.
Requiring only three to win off the final two balls, Henry bounced back by taking the wicket of Sasikumar (5).
It was by no means game over at this point with a final ball two, meaning Barham lost by the barest of margins.
Barham will be ruing not having in batsman Thrum on strike for the last couple of balls, but they can head home with the knowledge they are capable of taking it up with the competition’s pacesetters.
Earlier, Murrabit were bowled out for the first time this season for 112.
Barham skipper Chameera Akurugoda did a fair share of the damage with the ball, taking 3/12 from his three overs.
All three wickets came in the space of four balls, which turned the tide of the game drastically.
He was well backed up by Jade Stewart, who took 2/19.
The innings started well for Murrabit, with captain Tim Millard (26) and Michael Hartley (33) getting their side to 3/94 before Akurugoda ran riot.
A wicket the following over meant the Blues lost 4/0 in the space of five balls – and their final three falling for only 18.
In reply, Leigh Sobotnicki tried his best to drag his side over the line, making a composed 60.
Unfortunately for Barham, he didn’t have much help around him, with numbers three to six in the batting order all falling for single-figure scores.
Simon Kelly was highly impressive with the ball for the Blues, taking 4/22.
Kerang vs Koondrook
In the second fixture of the Murrabit Recreation Reserve double-header, Kerang recorded their first victory since early December, knocking off Koondrook by 29 runs.
It came off the back of a fantastic bowling performance in the second portion of Koondrook’s chase.
Needing 51 to win with seven wickets in hand and plenty of time, Koondrook lost 7/21 to fall meekly for 131.
Ron Bright (4/12 off 3.1 overs) and Tyler Schmidt (3/21) were the heroes that ensured the much-needed win was secured for Kerang.
Earlier, Bright did the business with the bat as well, smashing 58 off 30 balls in a 74-run opening stand with Declan Hogg.
While Bright played the aggressor, Hogg (66 not out off 52) played the anchor role in Kerang’s innings of 4/160.
The result means both sides finish the T20 season with 1-2 records and while Murrabit is clearly the team to beat, the battle for who will challenge them on grand final day is heating up.
