ED Perryman underlined his status as one of the Riverina’s most exciting prospects by leading Holbrook and District to an eight-wicket victory over rivals Wagga at Holbrook on Sunday.
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The Osborne leg-spinner took 4-51 off 12 overs, inflicted a brilliant run out off his own bowling and made 44 not out as the hosts successfully defended the O’Farrell Cup.
Holbrook will now take on Griffith at Holbrook on Sunday.
Skipper Darren Howard was delighted with the way his top-order of Will Heriot (19), Andrew Mackinlay (28), Perryman and Todd Hannam (37 not out) chased down 151.
“It was a fantastic effort by the boys,” Howard said.
“There is a good feel around the group.
“They are all keen to play and I think that’s showing with our results.”
Wagga did well to make 151 after being 6-116 with Joel Robinson (31) and Warren Clunes (32) scoring vital runs.
Holbrook took several difficult catches during the innings while Perryman’s run out provided telling in a tight tussle.
“We had to really work to make 150,” Howard said.
“It was hard to get the bowlers away.
“Robbie (Mackinlay) said 140 or 150 would be hard to get and it certainly was with a bit of rain last week and a lush outfield.
“It was a good run chase.
“All the batsmen did well.”
Perryman, who has scored 186 runs at 62 for Osborne this season, batted throughout the chase and combined particularly well late with Hannam when the TRYC skipper went on the attack.
“Wagga bowled tightly and Ed showed great temperament because it wasn’t easy,” Howard said.
“He just had a day out.
“He bowled and fielded well and did a great job for us.
“We have Griffith now and that will be tough.”
Holbrook fielded its strongest team in years with Culcairn’s Steve Brand one of only a few automatic selections to miss the clash.
The association shocked Wagga in last season’s final match to hold the long-time symbol of Riverina cricket supremacy, which dates back to 1925.
Surprisingly, Cricket Albury-Wodonga has been unable to defeat Wagga in recent clashes.
If Holbrook can keep winning, it will play challenger Cricket Albury-Wodonga in several weeks with the Border side desperate to regain some pride on the representative front.
Holbrook resisted the temptation to include Brocklesby and District players after the competitions merged and became CAW Hume over the off-season.