The Deni Rhinos have started the Murray Valley Cricket Association season in sensational form, with a A-grade win against Barooga.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Barooga were runners-up in last season’s 2023/24 MVCA A-grade, and defeated the Rhinos on both occasions in the corresponding fixtures.
A new season saw many changes to both teams for the big season opener.
Barooga had eight changes from their last encounter against the Rhinos and were missing some experienced names, including Watkins, Stanyer, Maley, Sharp and import Beaumont.
The Rhinos recruited heavily for the 2024-25 MVCA season, adding Griegan French (UK), Matt Taylor (UK), Brad Nihill (Heidelberg), Rowan Frazer (Albury) and the returning Brodie Bennett.
A massive crowd was on hand thanks to a Deniliquin District Cricket Association reunion, with many ex-Deniliquin District Cricket Association cricketers coming down to watch the opening game of the season.
Most of the spectators enjoyed the new facilities while preparing themselves for the evening’s reunion festivities.
The game started well for the Rhinos, who won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first in the clear Saturday morning conditions, looking to set a strong target to defend.
Rhinos captain, Boddie Arthur, opened with Englishman Griegan French.
The Barooga bowlers kept things tight in the first session before drinks, but were unable to take a wicket against either of the steadfast opening pair.
The Rhinos were 0-49 off 15 overs.
The deep outfield was very slow which made scoring and boundaries difficult to come by early on, with the openers having to run hard between the wickets to build the score.
The Rhinos took control, with Arthur and French adding a chanceless 142 after 29 overs for the first wicket.
Arthur made his half-century before being adjudged LBW, trying to force the ball through the leg side.
Dismissed just before the 30 overs drinks break, Arthur’s innings (54) included seven boundaries and set the Rhinos a solid platform.
French and budding Rhinos’ number three Charlie Paton added 30 in quick succession before French skied a catch behind the wicket.
First slip ran back and held the catch to leave the Rhinos 2-172.
French was dismissed for 90 on his Rhinos debut, an innings which included eight boundaries and one six over long on.
Despite this, the Rhinos dominated the final 15 overs, adding 108 runs.
Paton finished unbeaten on 57 not out, with seven fours and one six over long off.
Rhinos stalwart Andrew Hogan made 15 before being caught at cover with the Rhinos at 3-221 approaching the end of the innings.
First gamer for the Rhinos, Brad Nihill, played the team game in the finisher role, scoring an unbeaten 19 not out off only 10 balls.
The Rhinos finished at 3-259 after 44 overs.
The Barooga bowlers were also ruled by the umpires to be behind the required over rate, which resulted in the Rhinos being awarded 20 bonus penalty runs.
After the penalty was added, the Rhinos finished at a total of 3-279.
The Rhinos were up and about with plenty of crowd support.
Many had come to see the UK/South African import, Matt Taylor, open the bowling.
Taylor was sharp, but it was Andrew Hogan doing the damage first in the wickets' column from the golf course end.
Hogan bowled both Hugh Sutton and Zach Dunn, leaving Barooga 2-25 off eight overs.
Taylor captured his first Australian wicket, having remaining opener Lachlan Sutton safely caught by Boddie Arthur at slip.
Taylor struck again in his opening spell with a successful LBW shout and had Barooga slumped to 4-25 after nine overs.
Barooga’s captain, Brendan Lewis, and Barooga number six Jonathon Oliver took their team to drinks and added some respectability to the score.
After the early collapse, Barooga were 4-50 after 15 overs.
The runs were just ahead of the Rhinos at the same stage, but wickets in hand were the issue for Barooga.
The pair continued, taking the score to 82 before Brodie Bennett bowled Lewis (23).
Bennett had the aggressive Oliver (32) caught at mid-on by Rowan Frazer.
Barooga were 6-91 after 26 overs.
Frazer took his first Rhinos wicket, with Arthur holding a blinder at slip.
James Hooper was Frazer’s second wicket, with Harry Hillier continuing his excellent catching form from last season at silly mid-on.
Taylor then returned, taking another wicket, that of Kohen Haddrell clean bowled.
It then only took Brad Nihill four balls to end the Barooga innings, with French holding a safe catch at deep mid-on in front of a crowd keenly watching his fielding efforts to end a stellar Rhinos debut for both players.
After the catch, Barooga were all out for 126 in the 35th over, with the Rhinos winning the game by 153 runs.
Rhinos coach, John Arthur, was full of praise for the team’s efforts and said he was impressed with the imports.
“They have blended in well and are very popular in the playing group.”
“The batting of French, Arthur, Paton and the little cameo by Nihill were great first up efforts.”
Arthur also spoke of the bowling effort that finished the batters' excellent work.
“Taylor was quick, taking three wickets, and he bowled with no luck.”
“Hogan was always the go-to bowler last season and was always able to take wickets. His first few overs (today) showed his experience.
“Bennett is just so accurate and creates pressure while Frazer getting a couple completed the good day and our fielding was brilliant today.”
The Rhinos A-grade side are set to face a tougher, more experienced opponent this weekend in Katamatite.
The game will be held at Denilqiuin’s Memorial Park from 12.30pm this Saturday.