ULTIMA-TUF v BARHAM-KOONDROOK
BARHAM-Koondrook have leaped into the SHDCA top four, at Ultima-TUF’s expense, following a hard-fought 24-run win over the Roodogs at the Alan Garden Reserve on Saturday.
Batting first, the Raiders were bowled out for a competitive 146 in the 45th over, with off-spinner Cassidy Sibley leading the way with 5-50 off 16.5 overs for Ultima-TUF.
Warren Lolicato led the way with the bat for Barham-Koondrook, top scoring with 44 at first drop, with some handy late order hitting from Chameera Akurugoda (24 not out) helping get the visitors to a defendable total.
The Roodogs reply got away to a solid start, with openers Kyle Symons (27) and Josh Waldron (12) combining for 28 runs until the loss of the first wicket.
The departure of Waldron, however opened the floodgates, with consistent wickets plaguing Ultima-TUF right throughout their innings as Akurugoda tore through the Roodogs middle order, taking 4-34 off 13 overs, including the prized wickets of Lachlan Edwards (10), Kade Benfield (38) and Mitchell Seton-Stewart (4).
Benfield would end the day as Ultima-TUF’s leading run scorer, along with Symons, while Akurugoda’s four wicket haul was only marginally bettered by teammate Caleb Davidson, who also finished with four wickets (4-15 off eight overs).
The win by Barham-Koondrook sets up a must-win game this Saturday against St. Mary’s-Tyntynder, with the result expected to have a big bearing on the finals chances of both clubs, while Ultima-TUF will face off against cross-town rivals RSL at Gurnett Oval
NYAH DISTRICT v RSL
NYAH District have all but secured top spot on the SHDCA A grade ladder following an eight-wicket win over RSL on Saturday.
The Demons now sit three games clear of second-placed Woorinen following the Tigers loss to Wandella on the weekend, and with just three games remaining for both the Demons and Tigers, a top spot finish looms likely for this years Kookaburra Cup and McDonald’s T20 premiers.
Having restricted the Blues to 105 from 43.4 overs, the Demons then chased down the required runs, passing their target in the 22nd over for the loss of two wickets.
Charlie Boulton continued his strong form, scoring another half-century (54 not out) at the top of the order, his fourth of the season.
Nash Richman was promoted up the order to number three for Nyah District, with the all-rounder scoring 30 to go with his impressive three wicket haul with the ball, while Mitch Hinton (2-23) was the only wicket taker for the Blues.
A hard-hitting 47 from 58 balls from Stuart Patterson was the highlight for RSL supporters, with the veteran batter lashing five boundaries and two sixes, while Paul Munro was next best with 27 from 64 deliveries.
They would be the only RSL batters to pass double figures, however as the visitors were bowled out thanks to three wicket hauls from Cooper Andrews (3-8 from 5.4 overs), Jacob Lister (3-9 from nine overs) and Richman (3-18 from seven overs).
