The Rhinos resumed needing 155 runs with Anthony Bradley retired not out due to illness, leaving the Rhinos one batter down and requiring next batter Andrew Hogan to come to the crease.
Charlie Hillier and Hogan were looking to get settled and get the runs on the board, while also trying to avoid the team having to bowl again.
The pair both faced multiple overs from Katunga opening bowlers, Jacob Bartlett and Hugh Duncan.
Hogan got the scoring going with a single in the second over of the day’s play, as well as a two and a boundary in the following over, with Hillier providing stable support at the other end.
Hamish McGregor came on to bowl for Duncan after 10 overs.
The Rhinos pair kept the score ticking over, scoring 45 runs from the first 20 overs before Andrew Hogan was dismissed for 36 caught by Bartlett off McGregor’s bowling.
This had the Rhinos effectively 6/115, needing 110 runs with 60 overs left in the day.
Tom McCallum then joined Hillier in the middle, with the partnership adding seven runs before the new batter McCallum was out caught off Bartlett’s bowling without scoring.
Lachlan Holloway then came to the crease at 7/122.
Holloway saw off three balls with Hillier facing an over in between which included a six off the last ball of the over.
Three balls into the next over, Bartlett had Holloway out bowled without scoring.
Next batter in was Rory Bartlett, facing off against his brother at 8/128.
Hillier and Bartlett added one run each before Hillier was out for 23 caught off the bowling of McGregor three overs later.
Charlie’s brother Kai then replaced him at the crease at 9/130, needing 95 runs.
Hillier and Bartlett added a flurry of runs for the last wicket, scoring 19 runs from 14 balls before Hillier was run out for 13 off the last ball of the 31st over of the day.
The Rhinos finished all out on 149, losing by 75 runs and giving Katunga the two-day win.
The away side’s second day efforts were not in vain, as the Rhinos batted well enough to prevent Katunga batting again searching for an outright victory.
Rory Bartlett was the unbeaten batter, finishing on six not out.
Meanwhile, Katunga had three bowlers for the innings.
Jacob Bartlett finished with 4/68 bowling 27 overs and eight maidens, Hugh Duncan had 1/45 off 12 overs with one maiden, and Hamish McGregor took 3/30 off his 15 overs with seven maidens.
B-grade
The Deni Rhinos’ round 8 B-grade match on Saturday was called off due to a wet outfield following rainfall on Saturday morning at the number two oval at Deniliquin’s Memorial Park.
The Rhinos were set to play Finley before the match was abandoned.
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