The main reason L-G walked away with the chocolates was some disastrous running between the wickets by Nondies’ top order in the second innings, with three of the side’s top five batters being run out.
Winning the toss and electing to bowl on its home turf of Cohuna Recreation Reserve, Nondies drew first blood immediately, with Jamal Sukhon trapping Scott Lucas (1) lbw in the second over.
Fellow L-G opener Liam Keath was able to build some momentum down the other end as Jasper navigated the start of his innings.
Hare (7) could only survive until the ninth over before he too was on his way after being caught by Xavier Wishart.
Nicholas Horman (11) could get a start, but when he was dismissed, L-G were in trouble at 3-42.
Luckily, vice-captain Simon Tatt could stick with Keath through the middle overs, mounting a 51-partnership that took the side close to triple figures.
All of Keath (38), Tatt (26) and Blake Gibson (6) were dismissed in relatively quick succession, with the side teetering once more at 6-101.
Then, Jason Keath (17) and Kaleb Quinn (47) stood up for their side down the order - stringing together a 63-run partnership to push the side deep.
With little contribution outside the pair, L-G were eventually bowled out for 171 with some key batters giving the visitor a defendable total.
Nondies didn’t get off to the start it would’ve hoped for in the second innings, as a mix-up between openers Xavier Wishart and Matt Oddie resulted in the former being run out three balls in for a duck.
Again, running between the wickets was an issue, as Angus Donat (1) was also run out three overs later.
Thankfully, Oddie and Sukhon were able to put together a 33-run third-wicket partnership before the latter was dismissed for 22.
Captain Josh Novoselek (0) survived three balls before he too was run out, with Oddie at the crease for all three run-outs.
Brodie Bennett and Oddie were able to calm things down with a steady stream of runs, adding on 46 to the total before Bennett was heading back to the sheds on 34.
Zeb Ellwood (9) was able to start before he was caught, and Oddie raised his bat for a gritty half-century.
Once Oddie was dismissed for 54, Broden Wishart combined with the tail to push Nondies to the precipice of victory.
Unfortunately, Wishart (25) was given lbw just nine runs short of L-G’s total, and he was the final wicket of the innings, bringing an end to Nondies’ gusty performance.
Both teams will be in action in round four as Nondies will host Rochester, and L-G will come up against Bamawm-Lockington United.
The Game
Leitchville-Gunbower 171 (Kaleb Quinn 47, Liam Keath 38, Zeb Ellwood 4-23) defeated Nondies-Cohuna 163 (Matt Oddie 54, Brodie Bennett 34, Jason Keath 3-10)
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