Toc progress after T20 nail-biter

After the loss of an early wicket, Reilly Rennick (19) and Peter Harrison (18) started well, guiding the Bloods to just before drinks.

Unfortunately for Tocumwal, as Harrison fell the Bloods never really got a partnership going with regular wickets falling throughout.

The Bloods ended all out for 95, with Andrew Lean top scoring with 24.

With not a lot on the board to defend, Tocumwal needed to start well.

Unfortunately for the Bloods, between good batting and not quite hitting the spot with their bowling, Deni were off quickly to a good start.

Their openers Boddie Arthur (26) and Griegan French (40) took the score to 62 in 10 overs.

Andy Arthur, Lean (2-27) and Liam Sutton (1-5 off five) then settled in, bowling much better areas to keep Deni from passing the target until the 28th over.

This was especially impressive as Tocumwal had two players fielding injured.

In the end Deni got over the line by seven wickets.

A-grade T20:

On Thursday night, A-grade took on Finley in the first round of the T20 clash.

We won the toss and went out into the field.

With a young attack, Liam Sutton and Declan Cameron started proceedings well, bowling tight lines and good lengths.

Unfortunately a couple of oversteps led to free hits that let Finley get some free runs.

Despite this, Cameron came back well and got his first A-grade wicket off his last delivery.

Through the middle overs, Tocumwal managed to keep scoring down and take regular wickets. They would not let Finley clear the short boundary too often.

They had a late flurry of big hits though to take the score to 114.

Everyone chipped in by bowling well, with Christina Roberts being the pick of the bowlers with 2-6 and Lucas Baron bowling well to also take his first A-grade wicket on the way to figures of 1-16.

With the bounce being uneven, Tocumwal knew it would be a challenging chase.

Reilly Rennick (29) and Peter Harrison did well to negotiate the first few overs without the loss of a wicket, keeping the score ticking along.

With two quick wickets falling, Sam Bennett and Rennick had to build a platform for Tocumwal to launch off.

An excellent strike turnover and some brilliant running between the wickets took Tocumwal to a score of 2-61, and put them in a strong position.

The required run rate had crept up to more than 10 an over needed, but the Bloods had plenty of batting to come.

Josh Wraight and Tom Oliver stepped up. Running hard and hitting the bad balls to the boundary, the pair managed to push the scoring along and take Tocumwal home with three balls to spare.

Wraight ended up with 38 not out off just 23 balls, and Oliver made 13 not out for a partnership of 55.

Tocumwal’s six wicket win sees them progress to the semi final against Nathalia. Details to come.

C-grade:

This week Tocumwal C-grade headed to Strathmerton looking for their first win and to build on some great club momentum.

The away side didn’t get off to a great start, losing the toss and being put in to bat on a very green pitch.

The opening partnership of Cooper Mangion and Brandon Meloury got the team off to a nice start before Mangion fell for nine, bringing Lachie McDonald to the crease.

Meloury and McDonald got us to drinks at 1-46 and looked to increase the run rate after a good platform was laid.

McDonald was caught in the outfield for 13.

Aaron Shepherd (6) had to retire hurt after a ball to the lip, which drew a good amount of blood.

Tocumwal continued to tick the runs over and Meloury brought up his second 50 of the year with the same great batting.

Daniel Bennett once again batted well with the tail and finished 10 not out.

Tocumwal’s goal at the start of play was to bat the 35 overs out, which the team accomplished.

They ended up with 6-122.

Tocumwal hit the field with enthusiasm and backed up the opening bowlers, including Declan Cameron (2-14).

Cameron keeps improving with every opportunity.

Bennett and young Chase Dickins took over and really tightened the screws.

Bennett picked up two wickets in two balls, swinging momentum back in Tocumwal’s favour.

McDonald and Shepherd took over and their bowling partnership worked wonders.

McDonald ended up with 3-12 and Shepherd 0-6 off five overs.

Shepherd was unlucky multiple times to not pick up a wicket.

Tocumwal were well on top when Dickins was thrown the ball.

He cleaned up the tail, taking 2-5 off five balls.

Strathmerton were all out for 80, giving Tocumwal a 42-run victory.