SWAN Hill won the toss and elected to bat on a pitch that promised a high
scoring affair at the Swan Hill Showgrounds.
Opening batsmen Jack Hughes and
Swan Hill captain Daniel Cruickshank looked to take advantage early as they
attacked the bowling from the outset, scoring at more than a run a ball in the
first 10 overs.
Tommy Mattarazzo followed on from last week’s good form with
the ball and gave Tooleybuc-Manangatang a foothold in the game with the wickets
of Hughes for 27, Cruickshank for 56 and Mitch Seton-Stewart for 11
runs.
After this breakthrough, Mattarazzo was again influential in a critical
moment for his team as he ran out Harry Clewett who made a damaging 40 as Swan
Hill had the chance to run away with the game. Swan Hill’s middle to lower order
each made small contributions, aided by some costly fielding as
Tooleybuc-Manangatang gifted the home team vital runs.
Tooleybuc could have
considered themselves a serious chance to chase down the highest total set so
far this year and top order batsmen Tom Lister and Simon Craig set their team on
the right track.
But their hard work was undone when the away team lost two
wickets in quick succession.
Once again Tooleybuc’s top order failed to
perform apart from captain Leigh Kentish who made an impressive 90 runs.
The
away team’s skipper formed a string of solid partnerships including
contributions from Braden Hender and Mattarazzo, holding them in good stead as
they challenged the large total set by Swan Hill.
But the home side’s bowlers
were able to keep the run rate in check.
The pick of the bowlers was Patrick
Noonan (3 for 31) who captured the crucial wicket of Kentish when he looked set
to steer his team home.
At the end of their 40 overs Tooleybuc-Manangatang
finish an agonising 10 runs short on 192 in a fantastic game.
For more of this story and complete scores from all senior grades, see today’s Guardian (October 22, 2012).
