Just 0.7 of a point remained between fourth-placed Katamatite and fifth-placed Barooga in the MVCA A-grade standings.
If retaining its position wasn’t enough in itself, Katamatite faced top-of-the-ladder Deniliquin at home over the weekend.
With hopes of making the finals in the balance, it was all or nothing for the hosts as the Rhinos won the toss and elected to bat.
But with concentrated bowling from both Kepler Lukies (5-16), Ben Lukies (2-15) and Archie Daniel (2-12), Deniliquin’s top-order batters struggled to make substantial headway with the bat.
And with an innings-topping effort by vice-captain Harry Hillier (48 from 91), the Rhinos’ attempts to stamp their authority on the crucial match were soon waylaid. Four Rhinos were eventually sent packing for a duck each at the bottom of the order.
The end of Deniliquin’s innings saw the visitors all-out for 104 in the 45th over.
Katamatite took up the willow in answer, with Oliver Mynard falling early after making 25 from 41. A later partnership of Tyler Green (56 from 93, not-out) and Kepler Lukies (56 from 76, not-out) no doubt put a damper on the Rhinos’ plans.
At stumps, Katamatite had won the first innings with 140 from 35 overs, and will be looking to further cement its lead on day two this weekend.
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