The Deni Rhinos B-grade side opened their Murray Valley Cricket Association season in winning fashion, claiming a hard fought three-wicket victory over Finley at Memorial Park on Saturday.
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After winning the toss, Finley elected to bat and were met by a disciplined Rhinos bowling and fielding performance that restricted the visitors' scoring opportunities throughout their 40 overs.
Opening bowler Brodie Unwin made an early breakthrough, removing Finley's opening batter for a duck when Stephen Marshall held a catch in the field.
Finley then steadied through a solid second-wicket partnership before young Rhino Archie Beehag provided the breakthrough.
Marcus Anderson was dismissed for 45 after being caught by Lachlan Marshall, while Jono Cattell followed for 32, caught by Dilip Reddy Boppidi.
Brendan Unwin added to the pressure with another wicket, caught by brother Brodie, while first-gamer Jobe Unwin impressed in his senior debut with a tidy four-over spell.
Beehag returned later in the innings to claim a second wicket, clean bowling his opponent, before the Marshall combination struck when Stephen Marshall had a batter caught by Lachlan Marshall to end the innings.
Ben Nisbet anchored the Finley total with an unbeaten 40 as the visitors finished on 7-150 from their 40 overs.
Chasing 151 for victory, the Rhinos suffered an early wobble.
Dilip Reddy Boppidi and Chris Pyle were both dismissed without scoring, while Rhinos debutant Bill Hodges managed just one run before being bowled by Finley's Bailey Coombs. When opener Brendan Unwin departed for three, the home side were under pressure.
Jonty Tubb and Stephen Marshall responded with a crucial partnership to steady the innings. Tubb played an important hand of 32 before being caught, while Lachlan Marshall was bowled without scoring shortly afterwards.
At 6-111 after 28 overs, the Rhinos still required 40 runs from the remaining 12 overs with four wickets in hand.
The match swung back in favour of the home side through a pair of productive overs that lifted the score to 6-129 after 30 overs.
The Rhinos continued to edge closer to the target and were 6-140 after 33 overs when Marshall's outstanding innings came to an end. He had led the chase superbly with a dashing 72 before being caught and bowled.
With the result still not secured, Ash Germano and Brodie Unwin held their nerve, combining in an unbeaten partnership to guide the Rhinos home.
Germano finished on 20 not out and Unwin on four not out as the Rhinos reached 7-151 in the 34th over to secure a season opening three-wicket victory.
