MYRTLEFORD Saints will be hard pressed to feature in Wangaratta and District Cricket Association finals action after a loss at home to Corowa left them sitting in sixth place on the ladder.

Defending 136 was always going to be an extremely difficult task on a pitch playing true and with key Corowa batsmen yet to take the crease.

Starting day two needing six wickets and to restrict the visitors to less than 83 runs to grab first innings points, the Saints couldn’t get the early breakthroughs they desperately needed to put the visitors on the back foot.

A couple of dropped catches, one a sharp one put down by captain Aaron McIlroy, didn’t help the cause, as the Saints tried in vain to get the necessary scalps.

Luke Melville was the first Corowa batsman to go, bowled through the gate by Nelum Kumara, who was sending them down at a lively pace.

Corowa opener Nathan Rhodes continued his solid form from the week before and proved too stubborn for the Saints.

Eventually out for 78, his innings was one of patience and diligence, the left-hander showing his class as he pushed the ball to all parts of the field.

He was ably assisted by renowned batsman Jon Shaw, who scored a valuable 43 at a fair clip to ensure victory for Corowa, the pair gliding past the 136 needed to overtake the Saints.

An entertaining late order knock from Paul Lavis (36), which included three boundaries and a six, was enough to nudge the score to 224.

With Peter Jeffries unable to bowl because of injury, spearhead Kumara shouldered the attack and bowled valiantly to finish with the fine figures of 6/68 off 28 overs.

McIlroy took the remaining four Corowa wickets, while Ben Paul and Brad Harris toiled manfully without success.

The Saints headed out for a second dig and Lucky Perera made a rapid 43 not out.

The loss dents the Saints’ chances of making the finals and they need to have saved their best cricket for last if they’re to feature at the business end of the season.

Myrtleford welcomes second-placed Greta to McNamara Reserve this weekend.