The Deni Rhinos hosted the Jerilderie Demons in Murray Valley Cricket Association B-grade action on Saturday.
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It was a hot but clear day without a cloud in the sky at a pristine Memorial Park number three oval.
Jerilderie won the toss and elected to bat first.
The Dees’ openers were off to a good start, before Joice Mathew had Logan Eldridge caught at cover by Noah Bradley for seven.
The wicket the Rhinos were chasing was of the other opener and Dees captain, Rory Knight.
Knight was dropped on single figures from a regular chance at short cover, off the bowling of Senaka Lakmal.
From there, Knight made the most of multiple lives, with missed run out chances and several skied opportunities not going to hand.
Meanwhile, down the other end after the first drink break, Lakmal was able to get David Hercus bowled for 18.
The introduction of Darcy Finn to the bowling attack led to more wickets, including Finn removing Brad Aylett caught and bowled for seven.
Next batter Dan Eldridge came to the crease and was run out without scoring by Mathew at wide mid-on to Finn at the bowler's end.
Chris Pyle then dismissed Cruz Nash, top edging a leg side shot which was caught by Mathew at gully for five.
Finn was soon rewarded for his consistent tight bowling and fielding, getting set batter Knight out. He was bowled after a quality innings of 88, which included three sixes.
Finn capped off his bowling by getting Oscar Kuzamba, given out LBW for 22 in the final over, to help the Rhinos finish their fielding innings in a better position.
The Dees’ unbeaten batters, James Winn (eight not out) and Trevor Eldridge (two not out), helped the Dees to a good score of 7/170 off 40 overs.
With a big chase on their hands, the Rhinos opened with the attacking experience of Pyle and Anthony Bradley.
Anthony was out without scoring after flashing at a wide delivery bowled by Dan Eldridge, caught by wicketkeeper Logan Eldridge.
Rowan Frazer joined Pyle at the crease, but from there it was the Chris Pyle show.
Taking inspiration from Travis Head this summer, and while trying to withstand the heat, Pyle dispatched the Dees bowling attack, including one huge over that started with multiple sixes.
Pyle made 67 before being caught by Aylett at short fine leg, off the bowling of Cruz Nash, on the eve of the 15th over drinks break.
Pyle’s effort helped the Rhinos to get less than 90 runs required from the remaining 25 overs.
This brought Noah Bradley to the crease, who added 13 after the drinks break before top edging a good length ball from David Hercus to Logan Eldridge.
Ash Germano then came to the crease and combined power with placement.
Adding to the work of Pyle, he went on the attack after the 30th over drinks break to reach the target after 32 overs.
Germano finished on 41 not out and Frazer was 39 not out as the Rhinos had a successful chase at home to win by seven wickets.