It was a battle of the top two on Saturday when the Deni Rhinos played Cobram Tigers in a big clash for old rivals in the Murray Valley Cricket Association competition.
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Cobram came out victors getting one over their foe, winning by 67 runs.
The Rhinos had a few changes from the previous round with Brad Todd, Dean Edge and Manraj Virdi all out.
Plenty of experience out created opportunities for the younger Rhinos players to step up.
Deni took on last year's premiers with seven players aged 21 or younger.
Cobram won the toss and not surprisingly elected to bat on a fantastic batting pitch.
Cobram openers Shaun Downie and Hugh Hyde batted well, with excellent running between the wickets.
The Rhinos conceded plenty of sundries early which was not the start they wanted.
They missed a couple of catches before removing Downie for 31.
Cobram were 1/55 off only 10 overs.
Lach Hyde joined his brother and the pair continued the trend.
Jake Herberte bowled Lach Hyde with a nice full outswinger.
Cobram captain Adam DeCiccio was scoring at a run a ball, putting plenty of pressure on the bowlers and fielders.
Lochie Holloway took the edge of DeCiccio who was brilliantly caught, full stretch dive at first slip by Brodie Bennett.
Cobram were 3/125 off 27 overs.
Mateo Allan joined Hyde and the pair batted smartly for the situation. The pair added 35 runs off eight overs.
Allan tried to put Noah Bradley over the mid-wicket fence, but fell a few metres short and was well caught by Harry Hillier.
The game was at an interesting stage at 4/160 off 35 overs.
The dangerous Tyron Baden came to the crease and he played aggressively.
A reverse six over deep backward square leg was the highlight of his innings.
Hugh Hyde was finally dismissed trying to increase the run rate, bowled by Prem Reddy for 69.
It was an excellent innings which set the foundation for a big Cobram score.
Baden tried to ramp Kai Hillier but only succeeded in skying a catch to the wicket keeper Tom McCallum.
Baden made 25 off only 14 balls.
Two wickets at 202 put the brakes on a potentially massive score.
Hunter Hardwidge was Kai Hillier’s second wicket for the day, and Prem Reddy bowled Jim Daniels for 10.
Cobram finished at 8/229 off 45 overs.
“The Rhinos stopped the flow of runs and were happy to restrict Cobram to 229,” coach John Arthur said.
“The boys missed a few chances in the field.
“Had they taken the opportunities, Cobram could have been restricted to 150 odd.”
Boddie Arthur and Charlie Hillier were the opening combination for the Rhinos.
The pair batted well but scoring was tough with the experienced spinner Jim Daniels giving the pair very few opportunities.
Arthur (16) was caught at mid-on trying to go over the infield.
Harry Hillier came in at number three and played three memorable pull shots off Adam DeCiccio.
It was excellent to see Hillier taking on the Cobram quick.
Hillier's 25 included five boundaries. A lofted on-drive ended his innings caught at deep mid-on.
The Rhinos were now 2/60 off 20 overs.
Brodie Bennett was adjudged LBW shortly after for four runs.
Mitch Jefferies shouldered arms to a straight one from Baden and the Rhinos were in some trouble at 4/70.
Baden's spell of 3/6 put the Rhinos in a difficult position.
Holloway was up the order this week and batted at number six.
Holloway and Charlie Hillier added 57 runs for the fifth wicket.
The pair ran well between the wickets picking up many singles and a couple of threes.
Holloway was run out for 19 in the 38th over after a great knock.
Charlie was anchoring the innings, he was solid rarely playing and missing.
Tom McCallum knicked one to the keeper and Noah Bradley batted to the game situation giving Hillier the strike at every opportunity.
Hardwidge bowled a no ball which gave Charlie a "free hit" opportunity. He smashed the next ball through the roof of the Cobram pavilion.
The ball was lost in the roof cavity, requiring a replacement ball.
His innings came to a close shortly after. His 65 included five fours and two sixes.
Kai provided some late innings entertainment with 11 runs off eight balls, including a six.
Bradley was undefeated on five.
The Rhinos finished on 8/162.
“Despite the loss, there was plenty of positives and experience gained by the young Rhinos team,” Arthur said.
“The young players all contributed and were well captained by Brodie Bennett.”
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