It was a case of third time lucky for Barooga Cricket Club after booking its ticket to the Murray Valley Cricket Association grand final with a win over an old foe at the weekend.
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The Hawks had lost to Cobram twice in the home and away season, but they finally got one over their cross-river rivals after defeating the Tigers by 95 runs at Katamatite Recreation Reserve.
Batting first, Barooga reached 9-178 off the back of a superb 72 not out from Kale Watkins and 40 runs from William Sharp.
Then in the second innings the Hawks blitzed through Cobram’s line-up, knocking the Tigers over for 83.
Barooga’s A-grade playing coach Brendan Lewis was instrumental with the ball, taking 5-28 to help his side advance to the finale against Nathalia.
Lewis said the Hawks were thrilled to have a shot at the A-grade premiership.
“It’s awesome, it is something that we have been building towards since the start of the season,” he said.
“We had a to-do list. The first tick was to make finals, the second tick was to win a semi and the third tick would be to win a grand final.
“We have nothing to lose now, that’s the way we are approaching it. We are definitely really, really excited to make it.
“We never really expected to get there, we are just taking it all as it comes. We will do what we need to do on Saturday and Sunday and hopefully it is good enough.”
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Yorker: Nathan Gossayn does his best to defend a ball at his toes. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 8
In the field: Adam De Cicco tosses the ball to a teammate. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 8
At the ready: Cobram wicket keeper Mitch Doyle waits to receive the ball. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 8
On the attack: Cobram's James Daniel sends the ball down the pitch. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 8
Fist bump: Barooga's Jamie Stanyer and Nathan Gossayn out in the middle. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 8
Cheerleader: Cobram's Ayden Latessa encourages his teammate. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 8
Inspection: Cobram's Tyron Baden checks the ball. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 8
Defence: Barooga's Jamie Stanyer blocks the ball back down the pitch. Photo by Megan FisherLewis said the aim for Barooga in the two-day encounter was to take a leaf out of Cobram’s book.
“The focus was to play a lot like the way they play,” he said.
“When they bowl, they bowl a really tight line and length. They don’t give you too many bad balls, and that’s why teams struggle to make runs against them.
“They are a great side and they are a very well-respected club. We just wanted to put some pressure on them and see how they reacted and obviously it went our way this time, which is awesome.”
The Hawks won the toss and chose to bat, with openers Jamie Stanyer (13) and Nathan Gossayn (15) helping Barooga to 2-36.
Watkins came in as the first drop, providing a knock that was vital to Barooga’s innings.
He powered his way to 72 not-out, holding his nerve even as wickets fell around him.
Sharp then contributed with 40 runs before he was out stumped, another boost for Barooga that helped the team reach 9-178 after 80 overs.
“Kale is a general, he just takes over. That is the reason why he is captain and the way he went about it was absolutely unreal,” Lewis said.
“Will Sharp chimed in with him too, which was awesome.”
Lewis said he thought the Hawks left another 40-odd runs out on the field, but it mattered not as Barooga’s bowlers blitzed through Cobram’s batting attack.
Two key spells changed the game, ensuring the result went Barooga’s way.
With Cobram at 1-26, the Tigers then lost 3-2 as Lewis and Riley Gow removed Hugh Hyde (6), Lachlan Hyde (9) and Matteo Allen (0).
Lewis and Gow were at it again shortly after, combining for another dynamite spell that where Cobram lost four more wickets for 12 runs.
Initially at 4-37, Cobram soon found itself in dire straights at 8-49.
James Daniel (11) and Hunter Verhoeven (18) batted valiantly at the end for Cobram, but the Tigers were soon all out for 83.
Gow took 3-31, while Lewis claimed his first five-wicket haul of the season.
“I am really happy about that. I have taken a couple of four-fors during the year, but I couldn’t quite get a five-for, so when I got that wicket I thought ‘about time, that monkey is off my back’. Hopefully I can repeat that against Nathalia.
“We bowled absolutely superbly. We shut down everything they wanted to do.
“We shut down their quick singles, which they are very good at, and we didn’t bowl to their strengths.”
Barooga will now face Nathalia in the decider, with Nathalia defeating Tocumwal by 99 runs in the weekend’s other semi-final.
Lewis said it would be fantastic to end the season with the ultimate prize.
“We want to win it and celebrate together and remember it together forever. The job is only half done at the moment, we have to make sure we can get the job done against Nathalia,” he said.
“I wish Nathalia all the best and I wish us all the best. I think if both teams play well, it is going to be a great contest.”
The grand final will be played at Cobram Showgrounds on Saturday and Sunday, March 18 and 19.