Rhinos power players too strong for Saints

The Berrigan pitch was in excellent condition, well grassed but hard and offering something for both the batters and bowlers.

The outfield was quick and the boundaries were short.

Rhinos captain Boddie Arthur won the toss and elected to bat.

Berrigan struck early dismissing both in-form Rhinos openers.

Rory Bartlett had Arthur caught at second slip when he had one rear up from a good length.

Englishman Griegan French then appeared to be unlucky, given out off what appeared to be a bump ball to first slip.

The Rhinos were in uncharted territory at 2-21.

Andrew Hogan was in a very aggressive state of mind, regularly dispatching balls to the boundary.

Hogan’s first six scoring shots were boundaries.

Berrigan off-spinner, Luke Melville, started well, only conceding nine runs off his first four overs.

But then Brad Todd turned back the clock for Deni, also playing the Saints’ bowling aggressively.

The Rhinos went to the first 15 over drinks break at 2-73.

The run rate had the Rhinos in an excellent position.

Hogan made his 50 off 64 balls which included nine fours and one six.

After making his half-century, Hogan received a rearing delivery, this time off Jacob Bartlett, and was caught in the slips.

Todd was then joined by Brodie Bennett and the pair put on a vintage display that had everyone in awe.

Todd was eventually dismissed by Jacob Bartlett, hitting a short ball to deep square leg.

Todd’s run-a-ball 66 included nine fours and three sixes.

The Rhinos went to the second drinks break at 4-187.

Rhinos import Matt Taylor joined Bennett at the crease after the break.

The Rhinos were looking to be clinical and score at a run-a-ball for the last 15 overs.

Conditions were tough on the Berrigan team, with temperatures nearing 35°C.

Taylor got off the mark with a six over deep mid-on.

He and Bennett then added 80 runs in 11 overs.

Taylor was Rory Bartlett’s third wicket, bowled for 26.

Bennett continued to clear the boundary, doing so on six occasions total.

Two of these sixes landed on the road entering the oval.

Another highlight of Bennett’s innings was the effortless ones and twos as he took control nearing the last 10 overs.

Bennett’s innings eventually came to a close, being caught at deep mid-off for 83 off 56 balls.

Monte Barnes played a little late cameo, scoring 22, including a big six over mid-off.

Kai Hillier also repeated his score from the last round, making 15.

Lachlan Holloway (6) and Rowan Frazer (1) were the not-out batters as the Rhinos finished with an impressive 9-285 off the allotted 45 overs.

Berrigan would need nearly 6.5 runs per over in their batting innings.

It was a tough ask, but still possible on such a fast outfield.

Taylor struck the second ball having the dangerous Rory Bartlett caught by Jonty Tubb.

Taylor and Tubb struck again in the third over with Connor Thornton dismissed for six.

Melville struck consecutive boundaries to give the Berrigan team some inspiration.

Jacob Bartlett was solid, but the introduction of Bennett brought immediate results.

Melville lofted Bennett’s first ball into the safe hands of Holloway at mid-off.

Bennett’s first five overs only conceded four runs.

Holloway came on and had Andrew Parr LBW for 10.

Berrigan was 5-79 after 24 overs.

The run rate and the wickets were making the score very difficult to chase.

Kai Hillier held a return catch to take his first wicket for the day.

Jacob Bartlett, Berrigan’s captain, was the eighth wicket to fall.

Bartlett made 59 with seven boundaries.

Hogan finished the innings with two wickets bowling the leg spin from his junior days to aid the Rhinos’ over-rate.

Berrigan were dismissed for 122 after 38 overs with the Rhinos winning by 163 runs.

MVCA A-grade ladder: Cobram 36 points, Nathalia 30, Rhinos 27, Katamatite 21, Barooga 12, Berrigan 12, Tocumwal 6, Finley 0.