The Koondrook Recreation Reserve hosted the inaugural Swan Hill District Cricket Association (SHDCA) match between Nyah District and Koondrook Barham. Nyah District won the toss and elected to bat.
Koondrook Barham’s bowling was lethal and after 34 overs, Nyah District was all out for 107. In response, Koondrook Barham’s top order failed to fire and find an answer to Nyah’s bowling line-up. The Raiders were stuck on 101, with Nyah’s bowlers Max Thompson and Benjamin Shadbolt reducing the Raiders’ run rate. In the final two overs, the Raiders needed six runs for a draw and seven for a win. On the fifth ball of the final over, Jake Vallence was run out by Alex Wilson and assisted by Justin Toomey, falling short of the match win.
Issy Boulton (1) was the not-out batsman for Nyah District. She is also the second female to play in A Grade in the SHDCA. Middle-order batsman Justin Toomey (39) was the highest scorer for Nyah.
Koondrook Barham’s Jade Stewart claimed four wickets in his five overs with one maiden. Chameera Akurugoda captured three wickets in his eight overs with three maidens. Warren Lolicato (one maiden), Garry Lolicato (five maidens), and Jayden Hall (one maiden) captured a wicket with the ball. Mason Laursen, Chameera Akurugoda and wicketkeeper Eion Janse Van Rensburg made two catches. Joel Davidson and Jake Vallence took a catch in the field.
It was Raiders’ tail-ender, Jake Vallence (20), with the highest score on the card, and he was run out trying to earn five runs for victory. Mason Laursen (1) was the not-out batsman for Koondrook Barham.
Nyah’s Charlie Boulton claimed three wickets with the ball. Benjamin Shadbolt claimed two wickets, along with teenage sensation Max Thompson, who also captured three catches on the field. Alex Wilson and Cooper Andrews also claimed a wicket with the ball. Oliver Boulton made a catch, Alex Wilson made a runout, and wicketkeeper Justin Toomey made a catch and a runout.
The loss places Barham Koondrook fifth on the SHDCA ladder. Barham Koondrook will face Wandella at Kerang on Saturday.
Murrabit vs Woorinen
In the cricket match held at Murrabit, the Blues won the toss and decided to bowl first, sending Woorinen to bat. Woorinen managed to score 251 runs with seven wickets lost, after playing for 40 overs. On the other hand, Murrabit played for 39 overs and was all out for 144 runs, losing the game by 107 runs.
Murrabit’s next match will be against RSL at North Park in Swan Hill on Saturday. Currently, Murrabit is placed sixth on the SHDCA ladder.
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 19 October 2023.
