Rhinos become the hunted

A potential finals match-up, the two sides haven’t played one another in a two-day match in just over two years.

In the one previous encounter between the two sides this season, earlier in round 7, the two teams faced off in a one-day 45 over a side match in Cobram.

In that fixture, Cobram won the toss and chose to bat first.

The Rhinos had Cobram under pressure early at 4-43 after 16 overs; however, the reigning premiers fought hard to get to a challenging total of 174 all out after 43 overs.

Jimmy Daniel carried his bat for the home side, opening and top-scoring with 63 not out, one of two half centuries and only four players to make it to double figures with the bat for Cobram.

For the Rhinos with the ball, Andrew Hogan and Lachlan Holloway were the pick of the bowlers with three wickets each, finishing with figures of 3-30 and 3-37 off their nine overs respectively, with Boddie Arthur (2-31) the other multiple wicket-taker.

Despite restricting Cobram to a chaseable target score, the Rhinos were in early trouble at 1-0 when Arthur was run out without scoring on the second ball of the innings after facing the first.

However, from there, the composed innings of Hogan at three and remaining opener Griegan French put on a partnership of 151 runs from 40 overs.

But as the pair were cruising to victory, French was dismissed caught out for 65 off 113 balls.

With 32 balls left in the innings and 24 runs required, the Rhinos lost two more wickets but were able to reach the target with seven balls to spare, with Andrew Hogan finishing on 88 not out off 139 balls as the Rhinos won by six wickets.

The best bowler for Cobram on the day was Adam Decicco, finishing with figures of 3-28, with no other Cobram player able to take a wicket, but several others were very economical.

Both sides will be keen to prove their two-day credentials after their last two-day matches in the competition, with the Rhinos beating second-placed Nathalia by four wickets and Cobram fell to fourth placed Katamatite by one wicket.

C grade

In the MVCA C grade reigning premiers, top-of-the-ladder Deni Rhinos have their last bye of the season before playing second-placed Cobram away from home, a game that is scheduled for next Sunday afternoon.

The team then play third-placed Katunga and seventh-placed Katamatite in Deniliquin at Memorial Park on consecutive Saturdays before finals.

Juniors

Rhinos’ MVCA junior competitions resume this weekend.

The Rhinos under 15s side is being hosted by Finley from 8am tomorrow.

Meanwhile, two of the strongest teams in the MVCA under 13s, Rhinos Red and Rhinos White, return from the break this afternoon.

Rhinos Red are set to play Barooga in Barooga while Rhinos White are scheduled to play Katamatite at Finley.