PLAYING at Stratarama Stadium, also known as Glenelg Oval, in the final of their three Pool A games frustratingly Murray Districts – Barrier – Sunraysia (MDBS) loss to the South East zone in a nail-biter by a single wicket.
The MDBS side play at SACA Senior Country Cricket Cup – playing for the Harry Meyer Cup — made a modest total of 132 with Sheldon Hall the backbone of the innings with a knock of 46 from 55 deliveries faced including five boundaries and a pair of sixes batting in the number seven spot.
Defending that mediocre total the MDBS bowlers and fielders advanced their side into a strong position at 7 for 51 and then 8 for 87, with South East still needing 46 runs for victory.
South ninth wicked fell at 131 when Ben Jurd bowled Isaac Mulraney for 24 after he had put on a 44-run partnership with Jake Blackwell who would remain 47 not out.
After a couple of plays and misses, captain of South East side Alex Hentschke hit the fourth ball he faced to the boundary to grab a thrilling victory for his team and add further heartbreak for the opponents.
On day one MDBS team travelled down to Reynella Oval and faced the defending champions Alice Springs in their opening match, which was reduced to 40 overs a side clash due to the 40 degree temperatures.
Batting first MDBS made a competitive total of seven for 221 from the 40 overs.
Jurd batting in the number three role made an accomplished 23 including five boundaries from 28 balls faced while co-captain Tobias Hack lead the way with a blistering 71 from 66 balls faced including six boundaries and another five maximums.
In a spirited effort the Alice Springs Cricket Association chased these runs down in 37.5 overs for the loss of just two wickets with Banjo Wearing making a century.
Michael Maalste was the only wicket taker in this innings, finishing with two for 46 from his five overs at the bowling crease.
Day two was one to forget as the Northern Zone batting first made 253.
Medium pacer Jurd finished with two for 44 from his six overs while all-rounder Sheldon Hall bowled all his allotment of 10 overs and had the respectable figures of one for 54.
The run chase never got started as MDBS were bowled out for 138 in the 36th over
The only member of the top order to get to double figures was Jurd who made 42 from 63 all faced including five boundaries and a six.
