Tocumwal’s Premier Division side were defeated outright against Murray Valley Cricket Association premiership favourites Cobram at the weekend.
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The Bloods were outplayed by the Tigers but battled gamely, eventually being bowled out with just eight overs left in the game.
Winning the toss and batting first the Bloods were off to a perfect start with Daniel Hibberd (35) and Jesse Barker (18) negotiating the opening hour without loss, much to the frustration of the Tigers who were clearly rattled.
Hibberd hit four boundaries in a patient knock and Barker was stonewalling the Tiger attack with ease.
But the introduction of the South African pair Wian Van Zyl (6/16 off 15) and Ewald Roberts (1/7 off seven) turned the game on its head in the space of an hour.
Van Zyl bowled Barker with one that nipped off the seam before Hibberd was out LBW to Roberts, with both men out when the score was on 58.
From that point the Bloods capitulated in a horror show losing 10 wickets for 32 runs to be all out at the 50 over mark for 90.
Cobram took to the crease keen to take the lead before the end of the opening day.
Roberts (114) and Van Zyl (14) got off to a brisk start despite some good bowling from Andy Arthur.
The big scalp of Van Zyl came with the score at 26 when Barker got one to skid through and rattle the stumps.
But the Bloods could only watch on as Roberts began to blast the attack.
With Manny Artavilla (49) at the other end the pair added 104 for the second wicket as the Bloods battled hard.
Some incredible stroke play from Roberts was the highlight of the day as leg-spinner Andrew Lean (1/45 off seven) finally dismissed Artavilla with the score 130.
At stumps on Saturday Cobram had a 40 run lead.
Sunday’s play began with more pain for the Bloods with the Tigers keen to build a lead.
Roberts and Tyron Baden (52 off 36 balls) smashed the attack to all parts with Baden hitting 10 boundaries in his knock.
The third wicket partnership of 84 was finally broken by Reilly Rennick (2/29 off 6.5 overs) who had Baden bowled before Chris Shaw (1/29 off eight) claimed James Daniel (seven) well stumped by Michael Roberts.
Finally Roberts was well caught by Ranji Oliver at cover to see the Tigers declare at 5/251 with a lead of 161.
Sent into bat with 64 overs to face, the Bloods got off to a disastrous start losing 3/2 in the opening overs.
It looked like a potential catastrophe was looming but Toc’s middle order fought hard.
Brad House (51) and Michael Roberts (24) combined for a handy 33 run stand before Roberts was run out on the cusp of a drinks break.
Following that Oliver (50) and House settled into some good batting to steer the Bloods into a better position.
Both bats did the job well, dealing with the pace and bounce of Tigers skipper Adam Decicco (4/42 off 19).
With 20 overs to go, the Bloods were crippled by the loss of House, to a superb short ball, and despite a gritty half century from Oliver his wicket, declared LBW to Hugh Hyde (2/6 off three), spelt the end for the Bloods’ resistance.
The Bloods were finally all out in 56 overs for 143.
Tocumwal tackle Nathalia at home this weekend for day one of their two-day clash on Saturday.
The Division One Bloods were completely dominated by Cobram-Yarroweyah United on Saturday going down by 168 runs.
The Blues batted first and amassed 9/219 from its 40 overs, with Joel Ashcroft’s 66 the top score.
In reply Tocumwal were bundled out for just 51 in a disappointing performance.
The Division One Bloods can bounce back when they travel to Deniliquin to take on the Rhinos on Saturday.
The Division Two Bloods recorded back to back wins with a two wicket victory over Nathalia on Saturday.
The Purples batted first reaching 8/124 from their allotted 35 overs.
Tocumwal showed great poise in the chase and reached the target in the final overs with 8/135 the final score.
The Division Two Bloods have the bye this weekend.
Tocumwal’s Under 16s played host to the top side Katunga on Friday.
The Bloods won the toss and elected to bat first in the 20/20 fixture.
Jack Andrews was a solid opener for Toc., top scoring with 18 runs.
Hardwidge and Bailey Morton added 11 each and Pat Bennett was not out on 10.
The home side set a target of 74 after the 20 overs.
The Bloods were on a high when Angus Bouchier took two wickets in his first over and had Katunga 2/5 in the second over.
Wickets kept falling every couple of overs, but the depth of Katunga’s batting line-up was too good, passing the required target in the 19th over.
Bouchier was the best of the bowlers taking 3/3 off three with Chase Hardwidge (1/8 off four) and Kale Stewart (1/13 off two) also bowling well.
The U16s team will be on the road to face Finley/Jerilderie on Friday.
With a bye for the last round of the season, Tocumwal’s U14s travelled to Finley for their last game of the year.
Toc. won and elected to bat in the 20/20 match with Hunter Hardwidge top scorer with 13 not out, while Percy Dines eight not out and Mac Eddy six not out also batting well.
Bowling for Toc. saw Macey White (2/7 off two) as the only multiple wicket taker, with Logan White, Percy Dines, Hunter Hardwidge, Joe Barker, Jessica Bennett and Alana Sutton taking one wicket each.
It was a great team effort but the Bloods were unable to defend their total of 65 with Finley passing the target in the 19th over.
In U12s, Toc White batted first against Berrigan, with George Wiles, Cooper Mangeon, Reuban Haley, Annie McLeod, Chase Brunskil, Will O’Connell all enjoying innings with not outs.
With the ball, Liam Sutton took three wickets and Cooper Mangeon took two wickets to give White a win.
Toc Red batted first against Finley with Nate Grieves, Lachy, Rory Sheppard and Kate Purtill all enjoying an innings of not out.
Liam Purtill and Tully Jones were the successful wicket takers with ball in hand.