The Deni Rhinos finally got the chance to play on their home wicket this season, with Memorial Park’s number three oval playable for the first time since before the floods.
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The wicket and oval was an absolute credit to the Rhinos curators and the Edward River Council ground crew.
The Rhinos hosted Tocumwal for the two-dayer, held over Saturday and Sunday.
On day one, Tocumwal won the toss and elected to bat.
Tocumwal had a solid start with Michael Roberts and Cody Deegan adding 36 for the first wicket.
Evan Pocock had Roberts (32) caught by Manraj Virdi at mid-off.
Kevin Gittens made his Rhinos debut and had success in his second over.
Gittens had Reilly Rennick (14) caught by Lochie Holloway at mid-wicket.
The Rhinos had taken control with the introduction of Virdi, achieving immediate success.
Deegan (9) was caught by Boddie Arthur at mid-on.
Peter Harrison departed just after drinks when he hit one from Gittens straight to Arthur at cover.
Tocumwal were 4/69 after 25 overs.
Andrew Lean and Luke Dinan (25) added a valuable 49 runs for the 5th wicket.
Jake Herberte’s second spell was sensational, taking three wickets in four overs.
Herberte had Dinan caught behind, Liam Sutton (4) bowled and Cassie Roberts bowled for two. Tocumwal were 7/135.
Another frustrating partnership saw Tom White (13) and Lean add 46 for the eighth wicket.
Pocock was the successful bowler, having White caught at point.
White was Arthur’s third catch of the innings.
Andy Arthur was Holloway’s first wicket.
Lean was finally dismissed for 74. His innings included five boundaries.
The highlight was his patience and concentration.
The outfield was slow and Lean scored 30 singles in his innings.
Tocumwal were all out for 172.
Rhinos wicket takers: Pocock, 11.2-2-25-3; Herberte, 10-2-24-3; Gittens, 7-2-22-2; Virdi, 8-0-25-1; Holloway, 11-0-35-1.
The Rhinos had to bat for 13 overs before stumps.
The opening pair of Harry Hillier and Arthur looked solid.
The introduction of the leg spinner Lean drew a false sweep shot from Hillier who was adjudged LBW for five.
Holloway was elevated to night watchman but nicked one off Arthur to second slip.
Tom McCallum (1) joined Arthur (16) and the pair took the Rhinos to 2/23 at stumps.
With Boddie unavailable for day two, he finished unbeaten on 16.
Mitchell Jefferies was substituted into the game and resumed the innings with McCallum.
A misunderstanding between the pair had Jefferies run out for one.
The Rhinos were now 3/24.
Virdi came out to bat and was very impressive. His innings of 37 included six fours.
Virdi took three fours off Lean in the 24th over.
With McCallum, the pair added 48 runs and took the score to 72.
Virdi played a big drive off Rennick, with the catch held by Harrison at first slip.
McCallum (11) was playing a great support role and added 16 runs with Brad Todd before his innings ended.
The left arm swing of Dinan drew the false shot and McCallum was bowled.
At 5/88 the game was in the balance.
Todd (16) was caught by Harrison at slip off the bowling of off spinner White and Deni was now 6/100.
Pocock struck two sixes over mid-off to give the Rhinos some hope.
Edge (3) was caught at cover, Andy Arthur taking the skied catch.
At 7-109, the Rhinos needed a big partnership.
Pocock (25) played aggressively before being caught at mid-off.
Another excellent skied catch this time held by Dinan off Lean.
Gittens (5) and Rana Aslam (0) rounded off the Rhinos innings, with Deni all out for 131.
Tocumwal won by 51 runs.
Andy Arthur (2/27) and Lean (2/39) were the pick of the Tocumwal bowlers.
With the ladder adjustments, the Rhinos now sit two points outside the four.
To make the finals, the Rhinos need to defeat Barooga and hope Katamatite lose to Cobram.
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