mmg.com.au

A 44-run final wicket stand from Jerilderie’s James Browning and Daniel Bryce has helped the Demons to a first innings victory over Juniors Combine.

After bowling Juniors out for just 80 runs on the first day last Saturday, Jerilderie started the second day on 9/159 — 79 runs in front.

For the Combine to win, they would have needed to dismiss either Browning or Smith in the first few overs on Saturday and then make a lead before bowling Jerilderie out again.

That plan never eventuated, however, and the two Jerilderie batsmen were able to last 10 overs, stretching their side’s lead out to 118 runs.

Juniors pace bowler Kevin Gittens eventually removed Bryce (40), while Browning finished unbeaten on 13 runs.

Gittens’s first innings in the field saw him take 3-32 with spinner Nick Palmer snaring 3-47 and Rob Resuggan 2-47.

In reply, Juniors put in a much improved effort with opener Colin Thompson firing his side up early.

The veteran smashed two boundaries from the first two Lachlan Taylor-Nugent deliveries before being dropped and then hitting another four.

He ended up making 19 runs, while fellow opener Chris Pyle belted 44 runs in an effort that included seven boundaries and a six.

Young Demon Blair Henery was the main danger for Juniors’ top order. The 17 year-old clean bowled Pyle and Trevor Briggs (23) before claiming Brodie Bennett (5) lbw.

Combine skipper Brad Todd hit the crease when his side was 3/93 and was able to make plenty of fast runs, clearing the rope four times on his way to making 51 runs.

He was finally bowled by Dylan Henery but Shane Gittens (37) and Nick Palmer (24 n.o.) also batted solidly and Juniors were able to declare at 7/224.

This gave Jerilderie the unlikely task of making 108 runs off 18 overs if they were to score an outright victory.

They were unable to do so and stumps were drawn at the end of the 16th over with Jerilderie 2/54 in their second innings.

Alistair Wells, who knocked up 63 in the first innings, made 19 runs before he was caught by Resuggan off Thompson’s bowling, while James Gregory (4) fell victim to Justin Parker.

Blair Henery (24 n.o.) and Taylor-Nugent (6 n.o.) lasted until the end of play as Jerilderie took home a win on first innings.

The other two-day match between RSL/West and Hay was completed last weekend, with the Cannons getting up.