The Cobram Tigers continued their dominant run over the weekend, establishing themselves at the top of the Murray Valley Cricket Association A-grade ladder after trumping Nathalia in round three.
Nathalia won the toss and chose to bat. Brenton Campbell came in at eight and top-scored with 44 from 46 deliveries to steer the home side to 8-134 before being bowled by Cobram’s Bodey Webb.
Campbell’s efforts were complemented by Luke Quinn (40 from 44 deliveries), Ewan Congues (32 from 23), and Jason Mckenna (16 from 54 not out).
Cobram co-coach Will Power said his side got off to a strong start.
“We came into the game knowing we were up against good opposition,” he said.
Returning captain Jimmy Daniel bagged 2-22 from nine overs with three maidens. Jeremy Baden picked up three wickets.
“He’s actually had three really good games with the ball,” Power said of Baden.
“Jeremy’s been a bit of a surprise packet to a few, but certainly not to me.”
Chasing 172 to win, Shaun Downie pushed the Tigers to within sight of victory with a quick-fire 91 runs from 74 deliveries to take the Tigers to 3-143.
“Obviously, Shaun Downie is a very experienced batsman. [It was] good to get a few runs under his belt,” Power said.
The visitors were helped along by efforts from Jimmy Daniel (20 from 47 deliveries), Rocco Anastasio (15 from 44), and Daniel Ellis (11 from 27).
Lenny Power also assisted with 16 from 21 deliveries to take the Tigers to 7-165.
Brenton Campbell claimed three wickets for the home side, and sent Lachlan Hyde and Bodey Webb packing to the Cobram shed without scoring.
But it wasn’t enough to thwart the tenacious Tigers, who ended up clawing their way to a three-wicket victory.
Cobram finished on 7-172 to Nathalia’s 10-171.
This weekend, Cobram A-grade will take on third-placed Katamatite at Katamatite.
Power said Katamatite would be a challenge for the Tigers.
“The first couple of games are against sides that have certainly improved, but ... your Kats, your Denies, your Nathalias — they’re right up there,” he said.
In B-grade, Cobram (1-46) thumped Barooga (10-43) at Barooga after the Tigers’ upset loss to Katunga the previous week.
After a bye at the weekend, a winless Cobram C-grade looks to take on Tocumwal at home on Sunday, November 3.