A-grade had a delayed start in Deni with the game being a 40-over affair.
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Deni won the toss and sent Tocumwal to field in hot conditions, and got off to a flier in the first four overs going at six to seven runs an over.
Tocumwal readjusted their lines and lengths and began hitting the spot better restricting Deni’s scoring options.
A change in bowling brought their first wicket with Tom Oliver trapping Boddie Arthur LBW for 14.
On a good batting surface, Deni’s premier batsmen set a brilliant foundation and went to work.
Just before drinks Andrew Hogan (42) accelerated the scoring but the reintroduction of Liam Sutton (1/29 off 7) and Andy Arthur slowed the scoring and saw the team get Hogan’s wicket bowled by Sutton.
Toc bowled tightly and fielded well through the middle overs, but couldn’t take regular wickets.
When Deni put the foot on the accelerator they went hard and with a good surface and lots of wickets in the shed they scored quickly ending up 2/231 (Griegan French on 101 not out and Brodie Bennett on 60 not out).
Liam Sutton and Tom Oliver bowled particularly well, each restricting scoring and taking a wicket each.
It was a great effort to keep chasing and working hard in the field in tough hot conditions.
When Tocumwal got their chance to bat Pete Harrison was unlucky to get out early.
Tom Oliver (20) and Andrew Lean (28) then set about rebuilding being able to move the score to 46 before the next wicket fell.
A mini collapse happened either side of drinks leaving Tocumwal 4/65.
At this point Tocumwal decided to make sure they batted our overs with Tom White, Cooper Harris and Hayden White all occupying the crease well.
At the end of their 40 overs Tocumwal were 8/114.
C-grade
On Saturday, Tocumwal C-grade got to play their first home game of the year (in Berrigan) against an always competitive Cobram side.
Tocumwal started off on the right foot, winning the toss and bowling first on a pitch that looked like it had a bit for everyone and hoping the outfield would continue to dry out as the day went on.
It looked to be a great decision with Joey Barker (1/18) picking up one one of the plumbest LBWs ever seen in the first over.
Once again, Tocumwal let a batsmen get on top of them. He rode his luck on his way to 50.
Cobram rode their luck all day having balls just fall either short of a fielder or just over their head.
At the first drinks they were 2/53.
Tocumwal were trying hard, but the chances just weren’t falling their way.
Sam Bennett bowled a very tidy spell finishing with figures of 1/13, and Lachie McDonald’s tweakers were upgraded to turners on the day picking up the same figures of 1/13.
Tocumwal got through to second drinks with Cobram well on top at 4/96.
Throwing the ball to two of their lesser experienced players - including Kurt Chouffot who took career figures of 3/11 - turned out to be a great option and slowed Cobram down.
At the end of the innings Tocumwal were staring at a total of 140.
Tocumwal went out to bat full of confidence, but with some unruly spectators their concentration wavered and they were 2/10 in the blink of an eye.
Brandon Meloury was showing signs that he again was in for the fight and he and Aaron Shepherd put on 22 runs before Shepherd fell.
Another little collapse and Tocumwal were 6/38, as a few Tocumwal players started doing rain dances hoping mother nature would bail the team out of the predicament they had got themselves into.
Sam Bennett and Meloury went to work posting a partnership of 44 before Meloury retired after making his third 50 of the season.
Daniel Bennett strode to the crease and turned straight back around after his first dismissal of the year.
Joey Barker (18) and Sam Bennett put on another 19 runs before Bennett fell for 11.
Once Kurt Chouffot (4) fel,l Brandon Meloury walked back out and tried to finish the game with Joey Barker.
Brandon (63) was caught on the fence on the final ball of the innings for a team total of 123.
Cobram won by 17 runs.
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