A cloudy sky and light westerly breeze greeted the players as Finley won the toss and opened the match with the batting in round five of the Murray Valley Cricket Association A-Grade competition.
Looking to claim its first win of the season, the home side got away with a respectable 62 through a partnership of Harry Wilkinson and Cougar McGrath. The pair got Finley off to a strong start before Wilkinson was caught out by Barooga’s Codi Bowden - off the bowling of Jonathon Oliver - for 27.
But smart bowling didn’t make things easy for the home side, as Lachlan Sutton and Hugh Sutton went on to claim three wickets apiece for Barooga. Jonathon Oliver and Samuel Leigh also picked up two wickets each from six and nine overs respectively.
The home side finished its innings on 10-115 from 36 overs.
Things got off to a shaky start for Barooga when the visitors stepped to the batting crease with Finley’s captain Archibald Mason bowling Ethan Bovalina at the top of the order.
But it was Barooga’s Murphy Stephens who stole the show for the visitors and came away with 75 not out from 65 deliveries.
Zach Dunn also continued his strong form with 24 from 48 before being bowled by King.
Barooga (3-117) took the win with over half the innings to spare.