Murrumbidgee has taken bragging rights over Griffith after they came away with a 10-wicket win as part of the Baggy Blues program on Thursday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Baggy Blues were in town to bring attention and a new focus on the importance of mental health and wellbeing in rural and remote communities in New South Wales.
Their time in Griffith was capped off with an invitational game between Griffith and Murrumbidgee involving up and coming NSW Blues players.
The Murrumbidgee side was up and about early with Sydney Sixer, Ben Dwarshuis able to pick up the wickets of Theo Valeri (1) and Dean Bennett (0) in successive deliveries to have Griffith 2/7 after 1.5.
Jack Cattanach (3/12) was then able to pick up the wickets of Logan Matheson (1), Tom Valeri (0) and Ben Watts (0) to see Griffith struggling on 5/23 after 5.4.
If not for the batting of Jay Lenton (62), which featured two sixes which cleared to roof at the Exies Sports Club, and Reece Matheson (29), Griffith would have been in a much worse position.
The pair put on 66 before Dwarshuis struck again to remove Matheson and after a brief cameo, Marc Tucker (9) was dismissed by Mitchell Johnson (2/28).
Dwarshuis (5/12) completed his five-wicket haul picking up the wickets of Jamie Winkler (2) and Mickey Edwards (0) as the Griffith side were bowled out for 125.
In response, the Murrumbidgee side was never really troubled by the Griffith bowling attack.
NSW contacted player, Matt Gilkes led from the front and was well supported by Al Edis.
The pair lifted Murrumbidgee to within victory before Edis (31 ret.) and Gilkes (65 ret.) both ended their innings voluntarily to leave Daniel Muir (14*) and Cattanach (1*) to hit the winning runs and give Murrumbidgee the bragging rights.
For his performance with the ball, Cattanach was awarded the man of the match award.
The Baggy Blues also put on a coaching clinic for the future stars of Griffith cricket under the watchful eye of experienced coach Warren Smith as well as a breakfast talking about rural mental health.