It was a battle of the winless in Round 3 of MVCA A Grade, with the Rhinos playing Finley at home – but it was also a must win game for the Rhinos.
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With the pitch again in great condition, Finley won the toss and not surprisingly elected to bat first.
It also needed a good start after two ordinary games and Archie Mason and Justin Crowley took to the Rhino bowlers, quickly scoring at more than four an over.
However, Lachlan Holloway’s second spell from the golf club end brought immediate results, with Mason bowled for 30.
Jon Cattell and Crowley continued the aggressive play and had Finley in a strong position at drinks.
With Finley 1-89 off 20 overs, Cattell was looking particularly dangerous, hitting a trio of boundaries.
Dushan Rathwatte struck immediately after drinks, having the big-hitting Cattell trapped in front for 19.
Murray Urquhart (10) was then caught at mid off by Holloway and Manraj Virdi held a running catch at deep mid on to dismiss Crowley for 52 off Evan Pocock.
Finley was on 4-122 in the 29th over when Harrison King (4) was bowled, giving Hamish Baker his first A Grade wicket.
Jonty Tubb stumped Jack Sexton (4) for Holloway’s third wicket, as he struck twice in his final over.
He also had Anderson (4) stumped, and then bowled Will Sexton (16).
Baker wrapped up the innings, bowling both Dan Eldridge (1) and Lenny Dattoli (0) – with Cam Isedale not out on 11 – leaving Finley with a disappointing 160 after such a strong start by the top three in the order.
But it struck back early with the ball when Boddie Arthur (1) was caught at square leg.
Liam Pitts was promoted up the order with a green light to cut loose – and he did. He and Manraj went on the attack and hit the Finley bowlers to all areas of the ground before Pitts was finally bowled by Coombs for a swashbuckling 41 (including six boundaries).
With the Rhinos 2-80 off only 11 overs, Virdi was also on fire again and only played one false stroke, which saw him bowled for 44, including seven boundaries and one six.
Andrew Hogan continued on from last week to finish unbeaten on 48 (six fours and two sixes).
Harry Hillier (18) combined with Hogan to add 69 runs to take the Rhinos to victory, with Bailey Coombs the best bowler for Finley, taking the three wickets to fall.
The Rhinos only batted for 28 overs to secure their maiden victory for the season, a great result for a team really needing the points.
Special mentions to Lachlan Holloway for his first A Grade five-wicket haul and to Hamish Baker for taking his first A Grade wicket.
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