Premiers - again

By Owen Sinclair

Mar 10, 2025

The ultimate prize in the MVCA has gone to the Cobram Tigers after a tight finals showdown with Deniliquin at the weekend.

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A blue sky and light winds graced the Berrigan Sportsground as Cobram and Deniliquin battled it out for the ultimate prize in the MVCA A-grade.

Play got under way after Deniliquin won the toss and chose to bat, with Rhinos skipper Boddie Arthur stepping to the crease to get his side on its way.

Lenny Power and Shaun Downie. Photo by Owen Sinclair

Dismissed leg-before-wicket by Cobram co-coach Lachlan Hyde at 1-19, Arthur had to leave it to Griegan French (38 from 127) and vice-captain Harry Hillier (28 from 53) to pick up where he left off.

But as if his six-wicket bag the weekend before wasn’t enough, Adam Decicco kept his form to claim 5-25, leaving the Rhinos mid-order batters scrambling. Jeremy Baden (2-18) took the key wickets of both Griegan French and Brodie Bennett, joined by Jimmy Daniel (2-24) who together took a share of the spoils for Cobram in the bowling.

After 65 overs, the Rhinos were all-out for 155.

With such a task at hand, Cobram took up the willow. But the challenge was made harder when Deniliquin’s Brodie Bennett sent both Lachlan and Hugh Hyde packing by 2-9 for the Tigers to finish at 2-56 at stumps.

Trailing the Rhinos by 99 runs, the Tigers returned to the crease on Sunday, March 9. But before Cobram knew what had happened, four wickets fell in quick succession. Even with efforts from Dan Ellis (48 from 54), the Tigers’ chances seemed to hang in the balance.

Then veteran Shaun Downie stepped to the crease. He may have always been the one to beat, but with a final posting of 84 from 156 not-out, Downie seemed to withstand everything the Rhinos threw at him.

In a partnership with skipper Jimmy Daniel (17 from 98) and later Lenny Power (not-out), Downie took the Tigers all the way to 7-156 in the 58th over.

Andrew Hogan delivers to Cobram skipper Jimmy Daniel. Photo by Owen Sinclair

Cobram secured its back-to-back A-grade premiership by three wickets. For his efforts, Shaun Downie was named man of the match.

There's a first time for everything: the Hyde brothers (Eamon, Lachlan and Hugh) played in their first grand final together. Photo by Owen Sinclair

There was a little disbelief in the mind of Cobram co-coach Lachlan Hyde as he spoke post match.

“It’s utter excitement, to be honest,” he said.

“We were sort of down-and-out a little bit, but then Shaun Downie... proved that he’s one of the best batsmen in the Murray Valley.

Closer than comfort: Jimmy Daniel caresses the ball away from danger. Photo by Owen Sinclair

“I’m disappointed that Jimmy wasn’t out there at the end, but he got us to the win, which was great.

“Definitely that little bit in the middle was not ideal, but I guess it proves the skill-sets of both Shaun and Jimmy are there, which was great to watch.

“Adam Decicco yesterday took five wickets, he bowled exceptionally well, as he has all year.

“Jeremy Baden took two really key wickets yesterday and changed the game. They were cruising pretty well, and those two wickets changed the game.”