Saints topple Tocumwal

Tocumwal’s captain Reilly Rennick won the toss and elected to bat.

Matt Whelan (1-14) struck early for the Saints, removing Tom Oliver caught for two.

Tocumwal then built partnerships with Reilly Rennick (21), Andrew Lean (24) and Peter Harrison (34) taking the score to 2-85 to set up a strong platform.

The Saints’ bowlers fought back, tightening their lines and upping the intensity in the field to have the Bloods at 6-92.

Matt Ross (2-28), Jeremy Packer (1-29) and Tristan Mears (1-25) all bowled strongly.

Tom White (19 not out) and Hayden White (22 not out) were brought to the crease.

The father-and-son duo managed to weather the storm and finish off the innings with good acceleration, remaining unbeaten, to take the score to a competitive 6-136 after 38 overs for Tocumwal.

In reply, the Saints’ opening pair of Ross and Mears got off to a flying start, going at over 10 runs an over for the first 10 overs.

Ross was the major hitter, not allowing any Tocumwal bowlers to find any rhythm as he flew past his 50.

Mears settled back to watch the Ross show continue, with the two bringing up the 100 run opening partnership for the Saints.

Ross was removed shortly after reaching the century partnership, chopping on for 78 off 43 balls. It included four sixes and nine fours.

He was claimed by Lean (2-39), who was the pick of the bowlers for Tocumwal.

The score at this stage, was 1-106.

With good bowls disappearing over the fence, Tocumwal had to work hard to bring the game back.

They did manage to take a few wickets late, but Berrigan’s opening partnership had done the damage.

Mears (26) followed shortly after Ross due to a mix-up, run out by Andy Arthur, and finished with a run for every ball he faced.

Connor Thornton (19) continued the attack with a couple of big sixes off the Tocumwal bowling, but was dismissed when caught with three runs still required by the Saints.

Jacob (6 not out) and Rory Bartlett (0 not out) then guided the Saints over the line.

After just 18 overs, the match was complete, with the Saints finishing 3-137 and winning by seven wickets.

The Saints’ Matt Ross picked up the Berrigan Hay Logistics & Schifferle Farming Services $50 Award.

•••

Tocumwal’s under-15s side got their season started off with a bang against Barooga last week.

With a bit of weather around and very wet from the heavy rains the day and night before, Tocumwal won the toss and elected to bat their 25 overs first.

The top order got the side off to a great start, with Archie Chellew (26) and Lucas Baron (20 not out) the pick of the batters.

The team had a little bit of a collapse when Archie got out, with four ducks in a row following.

But Sam White and Jack Watson steadied the ship and, along with Lucas Baron, helped see out the overs with a score of 7-86.

When it came to their innings in the field, the team was on fire right from the start.

Opening bowlers Lucas Baron and Archie Chellew bowled a fantastic opening spell, taking 1-9 and 1-3 respectively.

Chase Dickins and Indi Borg then came on and bowled really well, getting figures of 2-4 and 1-9 respectively.

Everyone was up and about in the field, taking catches and playing really well as a team.

Archie gave most of the team a bowl, and every single person who bowled took a wicket!

Tocumwal ended up bowling Barooga out for 35 with seven overs still to play, to win by 51 runs.

Special mention to Sam White, who bowled two overs and ended up with figures of 2-0.

•••

Tocumwal C-grade had the bye last weekend, while Berrigan’s under-15s game against Katamatite was abandoned.

This week the Saints travel to Barooga for A-Grade while Tocumwal A-grade play against Katamatite away.

Tocumwal C-grade play Deniliquin away.

All other junior cricket age groups begin their seasons this weekend.