Toc won the toss and decided to bat, and put Nathalia out in the field.
Reilly Rennick (20) and Andrew Lean (63) built a solid foundation, but the team struggled to build on it after Rennick was dismissed.
However, the Bloods did manage to keep the scoreboard ticking over, with Cooper Harris making a valuable 18, and reached a competitive total of 9/156.
Nathalia were away to a quick start, thwarted somewhat by Andy Arthur who bowled tightly (0/19 off 7) in partnership with Liam Sutton (1/24) who got the breakthrough.
Tom Oliver and Cooper Harris bowled well and each took a wicket, Cooper’s coming from a brilliant diving catch from Pete Harrison.
It continued to be tight with Nathalia starting to build before wickets to Joe Barker (2/15) helped cause a mini collapse to leave Nathalia at 6/97.
But unfortunately Toc couldn’t quite take the wickets needed with Luke Quinn taking Nathalia home with a fine knock of 490 not out.
It was a great effort from A-grade taking a top team deep.
C-grade
The Tocumwal C-grade side travelled to Nathalia to play the ladder leaders and due to the hot conditions decided to bowl first after winning the toss.
Nathalia were off to a strong start before Lucas Baron (3/28) got the breakthrough. Azz Shepherd (1/13) took the second Nathalia wicket just on drinks, but Nathalia had formed a great launching pad at 2/70.
With tight bowling and urgency in the field, Toc were able to restrict the home side to 127, which was seen as an achievable total.
In the warm conditions, the Toc batsmen set about the run chase and were in a strong position at 3/82 when drinks were taken.
However, after the break there was a mini-collapse, and all of a sudden, the Bloods were 8/111.
‘Spida’ Bennett came to the crease and received enough support to score the winning runs in the 32nd over.
28°C