The Deni Rhinos lost their final round match of the Murray Valley Cricket Association cricket A-grade season to Katamatite by an innings and 52 runs.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The Rhinos returned for the second day with Katamatite already leading by 36 runs with nine wickets in hand.
The not out batters, Kepler Lukies and Tyler Green, continued to play their shots as Katamatite needed quick runs.
The difficult task Katamatite had was that they had to get within 70 runs of Barooga’s score in their ongoing match against Finley and most likely had to bowl the Rhinos out again to make the finals.
Matt Taylor was too quick for Lukies (81) who knicked one to the keeper Jonty Tubb.
Brandon Nicholls played some big shots off Hamish Baker’s first over, with two sixes over square leg.
Baker took his revenge on the last ball of the over, bowling Nicholls for 15.
Green tried a reverse pull shot off Baker, but he only succeeded in hitting the ball into the safe hands of Taylor at what was cover point.
Brayden Beaton became Taylor’s 30th wicket for the season, with Griegan French taking another catch.
Jack Tonta dismissed Ben Lucas and Katamatite were 6-224.
Ben Lukies the established batter then skied a ball high towards the bowler.
Tonta was unable to hold the catch, but the deflection was snapped up by Prem Muppidi for a quick fire 33 runs off 17 balls.
Lachlan Holloway then had Tom Irvine (4) caught in the deep by Harry Hillier.
Tonta took his third wicket by bowling James Irvine.
Tonta finished with four wickets by also bowling O’Kane.
It was a great effort by the Rhinos to bowl Katamatite out for 263 after being 1-140 at stumps on day one.
Katamatite could only make the finals now if Finley could hold on and avoid the outright.
This was looking unlikely as Finley were losing early wickets.
The Rhinos had suffered two big injuries after day one, with neither Andrew Hogan nor Brodie Bennett able to play on Saturday.
The Rhinos openers, Boddie Arthur and Griegan French, added 16 runs before losing their first wicket.
French (7) was adjudged LBW to left arm paceman James Irvine.
Harry Hillier (0) was caught on the pull shot, with Irvine striking again.
Monte Barnes (2) tried to take Archie Daniel down the ground but was caught at mid-on.
Matt Taylor (13) tried to go big on Kepler Lukies but holed out to deep mid-on.
The Rhinos were 4-37 with 40 overs still remaining in the day.
Arthur (17) top-edged a sweep to end his innings.
Tubb (9) hit a return catch to Kepler Lukies ending a 22-run partnership.
Tonta batted well for his 23 before not picking the right line and was bowled, not offering a shot.
Holloway (15) had his best knock for the season before losing his patience to Lukies and was caught at mid-on.
Lukies had five-wickets again for the innings.
The Rhinos innings ended with Hamish Baker (8) adjudged LBW to Ben Lukies.
Prem Muppidi was unbeaten on 4 not out.
The Rhinos were bowled out for 107.
Kepler Lukies (Katamatite) finished the game with 10 wickets and 81 runs in a man-of-the match performance.
Despite the loss, the Rhinos retained top spot and will host a semi-final at Memorial Park in Deniliquin against Barooga this Saturday and Sunday from 12.30pm.
In the other match between finals opponents, Cobram defeated Nathalia in a low-scoring affair and will host the other semi-final.
The Rhinos will also welcome the return of Brodie Bennett, Andrew Hogan, Brad Todd and Kai Hillier this week for the MVCA semi-finals.
~ Contributed by Deni Rhinos A-grade coach John Arthur.
Contributed content