The Rhinos’ C-grade team completed the perfect undefeated season by winning the premiership on Saturday.
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The Rhinos absorbed the pressure and defeated Cobram by 32 runs.
Deni won the toss and had no hesitation in batting on a pitch that looked hard and full of runs.
Captain Anthony Bradley was on the attack early, with boundaries on both sides of the wicket.
The Rhinos suffered an early setback when young star Noah Bradley dislocated his kneecap while playing at a ball outside off stump.
The injury saw Noah retired hurt for five runs, and ultimately, he could take no further part in the match.
It was an absolute tragedy for the popular clubman.
Anthony, Noah’s father and captain, was joined by first-year recruit Dushan Rathwatte.
Anthony was on fire, dispatching balls to and over the boundary.
He was eventually caught at mid-wicket for 36 (off only 20 balls), which included five fours and one six.
Chris Pyle came in but edged one off Matt Betts, and the keeper took the catch. Pyle was out for five.
Rathwatte looked classy with his cover drives and pull shots.
Tim Hillier and Rathwatte were batting well, but Rathwatte had to retire, making the compulsory retirement score.
Hillier had torn his hamstring, affecting his ability to run between wickets.
Brad Todd was onto his usual quick-scoring, including a big six.
Todd missed an attempt to smash the ball through mid-wicket and was bowled for 19.
The Rhinos were 3/147 and eyeing a potential score of 200.
Hillier was run out at the bowler’s end, unable to return to the crease in time, for a well-made 31.
The Rhinos were now 4/149, with Ash Germano and Michael Norman at the crease.
The Rhinos were blessed to have so much depth and experience.
Norman, the finisher, batted well, scoring 21 runs (four boundaries) off only 13 balls.
The Rhinos finished at 7/181 off their allotted 35 overs.
Cobram needed to score at more than five an over.
Without the services of opening bowler Noah and spinner Tim Hillier, the advantage for the Rhinos was they had the runs on the board and could set defensive fields from the start.
Cobram were solid at the start but could not get to the flying start they hoped for.
The fast pace spin of Anthony and the accurate pace of Todd tied up the Cobram batters.
Bradley dismissed both openers, including the decisive wicket of Sukhdeep Singh, caught and bowled for 18.
Bradley finished with the figures of 2/5 off his five overs.
Andrew Smith bowled Jamie Miller, and Cobram was 3/59.
Deon Van Der Berg had fill in player O’Sullivan caught not long after.
David Roberts and Reece Hardwidge offered some hope for Cobram, adding 50 runs for the fifth wicket.
Pyle bowled Roberts, making things difficult at 5/117.
Lachlan Marshall had Bodey Webb trapped LBW and Germano ran out Harpreet Singh Sidhu with a direct hit.
Cobram was now 7/119.
Rathwatte finished a memorable match, having Hardwidge brilliantly caught by wicketkeeper Norman and then bowling Chris Lincoln.
The Cobram captain, Betts, finished the game with a six and a four, unbeaten on 16.
Cobram had 9/149 off their 35 overs.
Rathwatte was adjudged man of the match for his unbeaten half century and two wickets.
At the presentation, umpires Lyndsay Riddell and Kyle Johnstone were thanked for their efforts.
Anthony Holmes and the Murray Valley Cricket Board were thanked for putting the season together.
The Rhinos also thanked the MVCA board for allowing them to host the finals.
It was great recognition for all the hard work performed by Brad Todd, Tim Hillier, Anthony Bradley and the Rhinos committee.
Betts congratulated Deniliquin on having a great season, describing Deni as undoubtedly this year’s best team.
Anthony congratulated Cobram and his teammates and spoke of the physical effort it had been with a number of his players carrying injuries.
Hillier accepted the perpetual trophy and will proudly display it once the clubrooms are finished.
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