Thanks to the previous week’s club-record double-century by captain Riyaad Henry, Barooga had a sizeable 313 to defend when Nathalia took up the willow.
It was a task made all the more endurable for the visitors when Barooga vice-captain Brendan Lewis returned to form. The opening fast bowler claimed no fewer than five wickets for 74, making himself a major nuisance for the home side.
Henry managed to send Nathalia’s Brenton Campbell packing, but not before the veteran racked up a ton (113) from 163 balls.
But before too long, Nathalia was all out for 251 in its 71st over.
Henry took up the willow for Barooga and notched 39 from 20, but was soon sent to the sheds by Ewan Congues in something like karmic retribution.
With just nine overs remaining, Barooga went on to consolidate a convincing 62-run victory with four for 63.
Barooga vice-captain Brendan Lewis said his team held its chances throughout the match.
“It’s a tough ask, chasing over 300 in a game of cricket, but if any team was going to do it, it would be Nathalia,” he said.
He said fielding made the difference in the end.
“On the first week, Nathalia probably dropped Riyaad maybe seven or eight times. We dropped a couple of catches, but nowhere near to what Nathalia did.
At a personal level, Lewis said it was good to get his bowling back in form.
“It’s good. I haven’t had the greatest year with the ball, so to get five wickets was a bit of relief heading towards the pointy end of the year.
“Everyone wants to be playing their best cricket when finals are right around the corner. It gives myself a lot of confidence.”
He said the club congratulates Campbell on his ton.
“But it was very pleasing to beat Nathalia after the last three or four times we’ve played them. They’ve had the wood over us for a fair bit,” he said.
“From a Barooga point of view, if we make finals, that’s a huge tick for us after the way we started and how we were looking. I didn’t expect for us to be there, to be honest. The maturity and the progress that’s been made by our juniors, and younger senior players, since Riyaad’s been here, has been unreal.
“Our task ahead is very clear... We need to beat Finley, we’ll probably have to outright them, really. Just to make sure if Katamatite win their game, we have a chance to get in.
“The comp’s been very even I suppose through the year... Katamatite has got a lot of good cricketers as well. They’re good enough to beat Deni. They just have to have their day.”
16°C