As the Monaro District Cricket Association One Day Competition heads towards the finals, Round 11 delivered thrilling encounters that shook up the competition ladder, leaving teams jostling for the coveted top four positions. With just one round remaining, every match is crucial in determining which clubs make the finals.
PHOTO: Cooma Titans premier top order batsman Aqib Abbasi made 79.
Saturday’s fixtures kicked off with the Cooma Titans facing the Jindabyne Tigers at Rotary Oval. Early breakthroughs by Jindabyne’s Dave Oxley, picking up the wickets of Dilip Chandran and Mohsin Imran, had the Titans at 2/21. However, Aqib Abbasi (79) and Hassan Nawaz (68) formed a vital partnership to steady the Titans’ innings, the score 3/185 when Nawaz fell.
PHOTO: Jindabyne’s James Joyce went through the in-form Babar Rehman.
Jindabyne’s bowlers, led by James Joyce with figures of 4/32, initiated a collapse, bowling out the Titans for 218 runs in 38.4 overs. In response, Jindabyne came very close in their chase, with strong performances from Dave Tickell (72) and Captain Lucas Rixon (38). Despite their efforts, Rixon was run out chasing the remaining 11 runs required for victory, the Tigers concluded their 40 overs just seven runs short at 9/211 after a full 40 overs.
In Bombala, Coffey’s Cricket Club displayed exceptional prowess against the home side. Bombala elected to bat and reached a total of 201, thanks to standout performances from the in-form Mark Tonks (73) and Jason Cikos (42). Coffey’s Nathan Thompson played a pivotal role, nabbing key wickets, including Tonks and Cikos.
Coffey’s chase was a masterclass in batting dominance, with openers Dale Cook (101*) and Nathan Thompson (94) leading their team to a comprehensive victory, reaching 0/205 in 34.1 overs, and dispatching 26 boundaries between them.
The final match of the round saw Berridale Whitetails taking on Rhythm at Nijong Oval. Berridale managed a modest total of 127 after 36 overs, guided by Zac McKenzie’s 45. Berridale reached the 100 run mark before three quick wickets fell for just one run. Thomas King, Benjamin Hearn, and Zac McKenzie departed leaving the Whitetails reeling at 6/105. Rhythm’s bowlers, led by Isiah Peisley with 3/16, from 7 overs was very effective.
In reply Rhythm lost Toby Inskip (5) early before Jack Watt and Nemasha Ambagahawatte settled things down. Watt (15) fell to Berridale young gun Jack Dunn and then Ambagahawatte followed, Dunn taking two key wickets.
Resistance from Rhythm was strong though, as Kasun Basnagoda (27), and Captain Kaeliff Khoury (20), formed an important partnership. Basnagoda ultimately lost his wicket to Russell Haylock’s leg spin, leaving Khoury and the lower order to attempt it on their own.
A disciplined knock from Stuart Wood (22*) gave Rhythm every opportunity however the loss of Khoury saw Rhythm fall just short. Berridale’s strong bowling performace was highlighted by Captain Russell Haylock’s 4/14 from 7 overs of leg-spin resulting in a narrow Berridale victory with Rhythm bowled out for 118.
With Coffey’s leapfrogging Jindabyne to lead the competition, only one round remains before the semi-finals, promising more exciting cricket as the top four battle for supremacy. In round 12, will see Coffey’s host Dalgety, Berridale travel to Jindabyne, and Rhythm are at home to the Cooma Titans. Bombala have the bye.
Dalgety must win to make the finals, and hope that Berridale lose to Jindabyne. Coffey’s must beat Dalgety to be first past the post. If Berridale win in Jindabyne they will lock in fourth spot, and a finals birth. If Jindabyne win and Coffey’s lose, they will be first past the post. The Cooma Titans can finish second if they win and Jindabyne lose.
good player👍