The Deni Rhinos hosted the Jerilderie Demons in Murray Valley Cricket Association B-grade action on Saturday.
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Jerilderie travelled to Deniliquin for a scorching clash played in brutal 39-degree conditions, with the home side making the most of the heat and their home ground to claim a convincing victory.
It was a hot but clear day without a cloud in the sky at a pristine Memorial Park number three oval.
Jerilderie won the toss and elected to bat first, but Deniliquin struck early with a disciplined opening spell.
The pressure told when Logan Eldridge was dismissed for seven, caught at cover by Noah Bradley off Joice Mathew’s bowling, and setting the tone for a strong start by the Deni bowlers.
From there, Jerilderie steadied the innings through a crucial partnership between Rory Knight and David Hercus.
Knight anchored the innings superbly, batting with composure and intent on his way to a standout 88, while Hercus played a valuable supporting role with a hard-earned 18.
Together, the pair rebuilt after the early setback and gave Jerilderie a platform.
The momentum shifted again once Hercus fell after the first drinks break, when Senaka Lakmal was able to get him out bowled.
It triggered a collapse that Deniliquin seized upon.
Brad Aylett (7) caught and bowled by Darcy Finn, Dan Eldridge (1) run out by Mathew, and Cruz Nash (5) caught by Mathew at gully off Chris Pyle’s bowling.
All departed in quick succession, as the bowlers tightened the screws.
Knight was then ultimately bowled out by Finn after a quality innings of 88, which included three sixes.
Oscar Kuzamba provided some late fireworks in his first game back after a trip to Zimbabwe.
He smashed a rapid 22 that injected much-needed energy into the innings before he was given out LBW from Finn’s bowling.
The Dees’ unbeaten batters - James Winn (8 not out) and Trevor Eldridge (2 not out) - helped Jerilderie manage to muster 7/170 by the end of their 40 overs.
In response, Jerilderie took the field under relentless heat, hoping to apply early pressure with the ball.
Deniliquin had other ideas, launching an aggressive chase that put the visitors on the back foot almost immediately.
With a big chase on their hands, the Rhinos opened with the attacking experience of Pyle and Anthony Bradley.
Anthony was out without scoring after flashing at a wide delivery bowled by Dan Eldridge, caught by wicketkeeper Logan Eldridge.
Rowan Frazer joined Pyle at the crease, but from there it was the Chris Pyle show.
Taking inspiration from Travis Head this summer, and while trying to withstand the heat, Pyle dispatched the Dees bowling attack, including one huge over that started with multiple sixes.
Pyle made 67 before being caught by Aylett at short fine leg, off the bowling of Cruz Nash, on the eve of the 15th over drinks break.
Pyle’s effort helped the Rhinos to get less than 90 runs required from the remaining 25 overs.
This brought Noah Bradley to the crease, who added 13 after the drinks break before top edging a good length ball from David Hercus to Logan Eldridge.
Ash Germano then came to the crease and combined power with placement.
Dan Eldridge (1/23 off eight overs) and David Hercus (1/17 off six overs) were the standout performers with the ball, showing control and resilience in punishing conditions.
Unfortunately for Jerilderie, the support around them couldn’t stem the flow of runs, as Deniliquin’s batters continued to find the boundary with regularity.
Adding to the work of Pyle, Germano went on the attack after the 30th over drinks break to reach the target.
Germano finished on 41 not out and Frazer was 39 not out.
Deniliquin cruised to victory in the 32nd over, capping off a dominant performance with the bat with a seven wicket win.