Anthony McMahon led Moama through the semi-final and final, where he made 62 when it mattered most. Photos: Supplied.
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After a long delay following the round matches in November, the Kookaburra Cup cross-league T20 tournament concluded at the weekend.
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Both the semi-finals and final were held at the Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo on Sunday.
Goulburn Murray Cricket sides Echuca and Moama participated in the initial round stage, with the Mowers progressing to the semi-final, where they took on United from the Emu Valley Cricket Association.
United won the toss in the fixture and sent Moama in to bat.
The opening pairing of Russell Stockdale and Anthony McMahon made the most of the opportunity in the early overs, putting on 59 for the first wicket before McMahon (32) was dismissed.
New batter Fraser Buchanan kept the good times rolling as he provided a solid deputy to Stockdale, who was in all-out attack mode as he belted a total of nine fours and three sixes.
By the time his number was called, Stockdale had put on 75 and advanced the total to 2-119.
Matt Saunders was the other significant run scorer (23) along with Buchanan, who remained not out on 38 after the innings, Moama posting 5-182.
It was slim pickings for the United bowlers, Patrick Hartney (1-27) the most economical of three bowlers who took one wicket, while a couple of late run-outs constituted the rest of his side’s breakthroughs.
The United chase featured plenty of starts, but Moama wouldn’t allow any batsman to go on for a big innings.
An impressive eight batters made double figures, but none could reach 20.
The consistent fall of wickets slowed the run rate, and United wasn’t able to make a run at the Mowers’ total, finishing 8-125.
Stockdale (2-13) backed up his contribution with the bat, taking best figures for Moama, while Liam Stephens (2-17) also grabbed two wickets.
The win positioned Moama against Strathdale-Maristians of the Bendigo District Cricket Association, which defeated Central Park-St Brendan’s from Cricket Shepparton by five wickets in the other semi-final.
Strathdale-Maristians catch Moama’s total in final meeting
Russell Stockdale made a whirlwind 75 to put his side over the top of United in the semi-final.
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Moama and Strathdale-Maristians met in the final played that same afternoon, where the Mowers, sticking to a winning formula, won the toss and elected to bat.
After an explosive performance in the semi-final, Russell Stockdale and Anthony McMahon again opened the batting for the visitors.
The pair got off to a relatively good start, racing to 21 before an ambitious Stockdale was caught trying to move things along for 13.
Following the early setback, McMahon and Fraser Buchanan were able to solidify a partnership that got their side into a good position with wickets in hand.
After playing a nice second fiddle to McMahon, Buchanan was next to depart, contributing 19 runs to the total before being caught in the 12th over.
McMahon led the way throughout the innings, with his captain’s knock of 62 coming to an end in the 16th over with his side at 3-117.
Matt Saunders continued to demonstrate his valuable all-round ability, adding an important cameo of 24 right before the conclusion of the innings.
Moama lost a flurry of wickets in the latter overs, which slowed its scoring, Archie Teasdale (7), Simon Porter (0) and Rhys Drennan (3) unable to get going,
The Mowers finished at 7-139, a defendable total with a bowling attack firing on all cylinders.
Moama got off to an ideal start when Saunders dismissed James Vlaeminck through a good caught-and-bowled effort for a single run.
Soon after, fellow opener Will Purcell (13) was heading back to the sheds as well, with Rhys Drennan claiming the scalp through a Simon Porter catch.
Strathdale-Maristians captain Daniel Clohesy and Matthew Wilkinson were able to put their feet on the gas and raise the run rate before Mitchell Stephens had Wilkinson (21) edging through to Buchanan behind the stumps.
Number five Cameron Taylor proved to be a defining force in the match, batting for 12 overs to give his side a guiding hand throughout its chase.
Clohesy (34) and Grant Waldron (1) were out in back-to-back overs, with the combination of Drennan and Saunders striking blood once more.
Ben DeAraugo’s contribution of 21 at number seven sealed the win for Strathdale-Maristians as he was able to go along with Taylor (40), who got them to the precipice before the tail enders did the rest.
Despite the efforts of Saunders, Drennan and Stockdale, who all took two wickets in the second innings, the home side chased down the total in 18 overs, meaning the Mowers again stumbled at the door of greatness.
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