If BLU is to win the McMahon shield this year, it will need all of captain Regis Chakabva’s batting class. Photo: Aidan Briggs
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Both Bamawm-Lockington United and Rochester cricket clubs will look to improve on their 2023-24 performances in the coming summer season.
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BLU came close to going all the way last year, falling short to Moama in the semi-final of the John McMahon A-grade shield.
Moama set a gettable target of 230 but it wasn't to be for the Lions, who fell tantalisingly short of the total, being bowled out for 197.
BLU will have its eyes firmly set on revenge in the 2024-25 season, with Echuca and Moama looking like the teams to beat in this year’s competition.
The Lions will need all the strength of last year’s squad, particularly captain and star batsman Regis Chakabva whose 979 runs last season included three tons, with a high score of 172 against Leitchville-Gunbower in round five.
BLU will also want the strike bowling of Jeremy Felmingham, who took 26 wickets last season and was a go-to option when the Lions needed a timely wicket.
Jeremy Felmingham was a wicket-taking machine for the Lions last year.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Meanwhile, Rochester will look to sneak into the top four this year after being unlucky to miss finals to Echuca South by a single win.
Rochy’s all-round ace Sean Williams will be the side’s spearhead with both bat and ball, having been the club’s highest run scorer and wicket-taker in 2023-2024.
Williams scored 394 runs opening the batting and took 28 wickets for his side last season, securing the club’s champion player award.
Rochester captain Dylan Cuttriss will look to use Williams effectively while also scoring crucial runs in the top-middle order.
Cuttriss’ high score came in round 13 when he scored 78 against Echuca South. It was the only time he scored above 30 for the season and will look to find form in 2024-25.
Sean Williams was a standout for Rochester last year, sweeping the club awards. Photo: Bruce Povey
Photo by
Bruce Povey
Opener Brandon Byrne will also be a factor for Rochester as he aims to get his side away to quick starts and has proven to be reliable at the top of the order.
Rochy’s main objective this season will be to put runs on the board, as it had too many instances last year when it was rolled for cheap or just didn’t quite get to the total.
Rochy only tallied one total higher than 250 last season, against wooden-spooner Leitchville-Gunbower in round 10.
Watching: Brandon Byrne keeps a close eye on the ball. Photo: Bruce Povey
In contrast, BLU’s highest total was a staggering 6(dec)-330 in round five, also against L-G.
The Lions will open their season in a one-day game against reigning champion Echuca on Saturday, October 5, at Bamawm Recreation Reserve. The first ball is scheduled for noon.
Rochester will play its first game against Nondies Cohuna in a one-day game on Saturday, October 5. The first ball is also scheduled for noon.
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