Barham-Koondrook v Murrabit
BARHAM-Koondrook claimed bragging rights over Murrabit with a hard-fought two-wicket win at the weekend.
Batting first, the Blues were bowled out for a competitive 136 in the 38th over, thanks to solid contributions from middle-order batsmen Toby Gray (32), Leigh Sobotnicki (27), Kade Watts (27) and Nathan Henry (20).
While the Raiders’ wickets were shared around, captain Jayden Hall finished as his side’s best, taking 3/16 from 7.2 overs, with Brad Lake (three wickets) and Garry Lolicato (two wickets) providing strong support.
In reply, the Raiders appeared to be cruising to a comfortable victory, making their way to 2/85 thanks to Joel Davidson (31) and Lolicato (28).
But they then lost their next six wickets for just 32 runs, leaving them 19 runs short with two wickets remaining.
But Hall again stood up for his team, scoring an unbeaten 15 to guide Barham-Koondrook home with four overs to spare.
Sobotnicki was the pick of Murrabit’s bowlers, claiming 3/27 from his eight overs, with Mac Scouller and Blake Watts taking two wickets each.
Ultima-TUF v Swan Hill
ULTIMA-TUF claimed their first points of the 2023-24 season, defeating Swan Hill by 84 runs at Alan Garden Reserve on Saturday.
Led by Kyle Symons with 84 at the top of the order, the Roodogs dominated from start to finish, posting a very competitive 8/233 from their 40 overs.
Aydan Symons (34) and Rory Bell (29) played the support role to Symons’ innings, with Mitch Seton-Stewart putting the finishing touches on the Roodogs’ total with a hard-hitting 34 not out from just 18 balls.
Lachlan Edwards (3/32 from eight overs) and Jacob Hatcher (2/41 from eight overs) continued their strong start to the season, with the pair leading the Swans wicket takers, before producing a 91-run opening partnership in reply.
The loss of Edwards (59 runs from 38 balls) and then Hatcher (41) brought about a yet another middle-order collapse, with the Swans bowled out for 149 after 30 overs.
Jordan King (4/39 from eight overs) and Cassidy Sibley (3/27 from eight overs) were the Roodogs’ chief destroyers, with the pair returning to form ahead of this Saturday’s must-win away match at Barham-Koondrook.
