Two-time Goulburn Valley Bush Bash League premiers the SRP Mud Dogs are back in the hunt for a three-peat after a clinical performance against CPW Panthers on Sunday.
Taking to the field of Cobram Showgrounds for round two of the tournament, the Panthers won the toss on their home deck and sent the visitors in to bat — a decision that would soon haunt them.
A 52-run opening partnership from Andrew Chalkley and Daniel Clohesy set the Mud Dogs up for victory, with Clohesy’s 45 the highest knock of the day.
Mud Dogs captain Liam Smith said it was this partnership that put the Shepparton-based team in the box seat to win the contest.
“I think our batsmen set us up in the start on that tricky wicket, they probably made it look a little bit better than what it was,” Smith said.
“Chalkley and Clohesy at the start, they really got us away and then we never really lost momentum through our batting innings, so it was super and then obviously the bowling and the fielding, they had a couple of little partnerships, but we never really let them get on top, so it was a really good all-round performance.”
Setting a total of 6-147 the contest was far from over when the Panthers hit the crease, however, the home side would soon find itself in trouble.
Conceding two runs off the first over, the men with the ball in hand gave supporters a glimpse of what was to come.
Dismissing Damian Cupido (7) in the third over, Tyron Baden (7) in the fourth and Shaun Downie (5) in the fifth, the Mud Dogs were well and truly in the box seat.
This form would continue as Josh Larkin (2-8), Rhys Irwin (2-13) and Taylor Beard (2-20) did what needed to be done, dismissing the Panthers for 92.
“It was awesome,” Smith said.
“Especially after the performance in round one where we weren’t quite there, so to rock up today and put in a pretty clinical performance with the bat, ball and in the field it was really pleasing.”
Setting the defending champions up for another tilt at the title, Smith said the side was still confident it could go all the way.
“There would’ve been nothing worse than losing today,” he said.
“To rock up in the third game with not a lot to play for but a bit of pride, we’re in the mix now and it makes it more exciting for the competition and it’s obviously awesome for us and the boys to get a win and we’re back in it.
“We’ve still got some squad members that we didn’t play today that can come in, so we’ll pick our best 12 next game and hopefully put on another performance like today, win the bat and the ball and the field and get through to the final.”
THE GAME
SRP Mud Dogs 6-147 (Daniel Clohesy 45, Andrew Chalkley 29, Riley Gow 2-16, Adam De Cicco 2-22) d CPW Panthers 92 (Isaac Willett 26, Josh Larkin 2-8, Rhys Irwin 2-13)
STAR PLAYER: Daniel Clohesy (SRP Mud Dogs): The Mud Dogs opener was all class on Sunday, helping set the tempo early for his sides victory. Facing a strong bowling attack on a tricky wicket, Clohesy made his way to 45 off 46 balls including two fours and two sixes.