It was only two weeks since the teams played a thriller at Monash Park, with this week’s game against Nathalia at their ‘home away from home’, Yalca.
Both teams thought rain would cancel the match, but the sky parted and play could begin, with the Dees sent out to field.
Nathalia's openers turned over the strike and set up a solid total being without loss at the 20 over drinks.
The breakthrough came from a bullet caught and bowled by Cameron Arnold (1/23) to get the Dees back in the game.
The runs kept ticking away until Travis Lawton was brought into the attack, taking two vital wickets giving the Dees a chance to slow the run rate.
Jackson Tooke bowled line and length to grab 2/28 also giving the Dees some cheer.
Some pinch hitting by James Nugent (26) boosted Nathalia's total to 7/196 after 40.
Jerilderie's Rory Knight (33) and Logan Eldridge (13) showed strong defence, weathering an onslaught from the Nathalia quicks and taking the shine off the ball.
With McKenna again in the driver's seat finishing with 3/12 some runs needed to come. Enter Cruz Nash and some big hitting with 31 off 32 balls to put the Dees back near where Nathalia were after the drinks break.
Some tight bowling from Nathalia's quicks showing good line and length left the Dees well behind coming into the last 10 overs.
Brad Aylett (34*) and Evan Lawton (15*) both with high strike rates were unable to get the Dees over the line, finishing 8/172 after the 40.
Under-11s
The last game before the Christmas break was an absolute cracker, with Jerilderie’s Under-11s hosting Strathmerton at home and keen to finish the year on top.
From the outset, the improvement across the group was clear for all to see.
Confidence with both bat and ball continues to grow each week, and the team’s hard work at training is well and truly paying off.
A special moment came for Ryder Billing, who claimed his first ever wicket, a well-deserved achievement that also earned him one of this week’s awards.
Another standout was Franky Bryce, who took out the second award thanks to his consistency across batting, bowling and fielding, contributing strongly in all aspects of the game.
At the end of an entertaining contest, it was Jerilderie who came out on top, finishing with 120 to Strathmerton’s 88.
A fantastic way for the young Demons to head into the Christmas break, full of confidence and excitement for the season ahead.
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