Flames fire against Rochy

By Matthew Kappos

Nov 25, 2024

Myles Wade was everywhere in the Rochester fielding effort with a wicket, two catches and a run-out. Photo: Bruce Povey.

A strong knock at the top has helped Kyabram Fire Brigade down Rochester in the second round of the Goulburn Murray Cricket Twenty20 competition.

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The Flames took the game by a comprehensive 54 runs, both the batting and bowling units putting in good shifts at Northern Oval in Kyabram on Thursday.

Fire Brigade batted first in the contest and opener Bohden Learmonth got his side away on the front foot.

He partnered with his captain Kaine Herbert (16) to add 35 for the first wicket, before the Flames skipper was removed by Myles Wade.

Learmonth continued to attack, losing Robert Salter (4) and Shannon Fleming (2) along the way but powering to a valuable 50.

He eventually lost his wicket to start the 16th over, departing for 57 from 46 balls, including three fours and as many sixes.

It left the Flames at 4-99 with just under five overs remaining. Tim Nelson (20 not out) and Miller Griffiths (24) made a late charge to progress their side to 5-134 by the end of the innings.

Alice Caldow was the only Rochy bowler to snag multiple wickets, taking 2-17, while Jesse Cuttriss added 1-30 and Myles Wade (1-26) had a busy day in the field, adding two catches and a run-out to his one scalp.

The Rochester run chase never really got going as regular wickets stunted any attempt to lift the run rate.

Both openers found the boundary but departed reasonably cheaply, putting Rochy in a slight hole at 2-29.

Henry Rathjen had the best performance of the innings, making 24 off 18, but he too couldn’t push on to a big score, joining Matthew Harrington (2) in the sheds.

Sean Williams (16) also made a start but was included in a middle order capitulation that saw the visitor lose 4-1 in an 11-ball stretch.

Eight down for 63 and with seven overs to play, there was little hope of Rochester chasing down the target and the innings petered out to an all out 80.

Robert Salter (3-12) and Tom Owen (3-18) shared leading wicket-taking honours, while Riley Carver (2-12) and Shaun Doolan (2-9) also made breakthroughs.

Rochester will conclude the quickfire three-round competition at 1-1 and is unlikely to make the finals given its poor quotient, pending results from around the league next weekend.