Barooga knocked from finals

By Owen Sinclair

Mar 5, 2025

Deniliquin’s Kai Hillier goes for the pull shot early in his innings ahead of keeper Zach Dunn. Photo by Contributed

Barooga’s A-grade premiership hopes this season have come to an end after the resurgent side fell to top-of-the-ladder Deniliquin over the weekend.

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Barooga won the toss and chose to bat as its semi-final showdown with the Rhinos opened at Memorial Park on Saturday.

Lachlan Sutton and Murphy Stephens opened with the willow for the visitors, but were soon both dismissed at 2-7.

Captain Riyaad Henry (32 from 73) stepped to the crease with hopes of continuing his fine batting form, and up-and-coming talent Crue Lucas top-scored for side with 42 from 89.

Despite further displays of batting ability from vice-captain Brendan Lewis (40 from 61), Barooga found itself all out for 158 after 63 overs.

Riyaad Henry (2-19) and Murphy Stephens (4-33) did their fair share to pick apart Deniliquin’s batting order, with Henry managing to keep captain Boddie Arthur constrained to five from 19.

But even with efforts from Barooga’s bowling line-up, vice-captain Harry Hillier managed to put away a tidy 68 from 117 before Andrew Hogan contributed 30 from 72.

Whatever hopes Barooga had of a resurgent victory were quickly put to rest as Deniliquin went on to finish with 7-162 in the 51st over.

Claiming victory by three wickets, the Rhinos face Cobram this weekend in the grand final at Berrigan.

But it isn’t all woe this season for the Barooga Cricket Club, whose under-17s secured a premiership flag recently with a thumping of Katunga.