Under the oppressive heat of a summer-like spring day, Cobram Tigers hosted Finley at the Cobram Showgrounds in round six of the Murray Valley Cricket Association A-grade competition.
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The home side elected to bat after winning the toss.
Veterans Shaun Downie and Jimmy Daniel opened the batting for the home side, notching up 26 from 20 deliveries and 10 from 17, respectively.
From there, the innings revolved around co-coach Lachlan Hyde, who made a half-century to take the Tigers to 7-180 before being caught by Finley’s Harry Wilkinson off the bowling of Kane Hawkins.
Speaking of his 65 from 76, Hyde said he was happy to spend extended time in the middle.
“I’ve been struggling for the last few weeks, so it was good to get runs on the board for the team,” he said.
Batting at eight, Eamon Hyde hit four fours to edge Cobram to 8-212, before debutant Jaxon Webb, unbeaten on two, finished things off for the Tigers with the score 9/217 from 45 overs.
Hawkins and Wilkinson opened the batting and put on 38 for the visitors, but with Downie (5/16) and Noah Sneddon (3/7) starring with the ball, Finley’s chase soon fell apart.
Hawkins top-scored for Finley with a quick-fire 30 from 17, while captain Archibald Mason compiled 23 from 29 for the visitors, who were bowled out for 99.
Hyde said he was pleased with his side’s result.
“It was good to keep that consistent form going that we’ve been playing with for the last few weeks,” he said.
“Going six out of six wins is a good start to the year.”
He said that although the whole side batted well together, the opening partnership of Daniel and Downie got the Tigers off to a good start.
Heading into this weekend’s clash with Deniliquin, Hyde said his players would back themselves and play their own game.
“Deni are one of the in-form teams in the comp. As a group, we know they’re going to be one of the better teams,” he said.
“That’s probably our main objective and mindset going into it.”
Murray Valley Cricket Association A-grade standings (at end of round six)