The Flames secured a potential season-saving win against reigning premiers Echuca. Photos: Matthew Kappos.
Kyabram Fire Brigade beat reigning premier Echuca in a heart stopping finish to keep its hopes of playing in Goulburn Murray Cricket finals for the John McMahon Shield alive.
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The Flames now have to beat second last Tongala at home in the final round and rely on Echuca winning against BLU to make an eleventh hour entry into the top four and finals.
Resuming at 2-26 chasing 187 to gain a first innings lead over Fire Brigade on Saturday Echuca came up nine runs short despite a gallant rescue innings of 74 from Aidan Young.
Young, with support from Kobyn James (24) and Easton Carlile (20) had Echuca on course for a first innings win.
Jackson Barnett was devastating with the ball, taking 4-59 from 24 overs.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
But The Flames pace bowlers Jackson Barnett and Rob Salter grabbed early wickets to get their side back in contention.
Barnett’s 24 overs with nine maidens reaped outstanding figures of 4-59 while Salter claimed 3-61 off 18.4 overs with seven maidens.
Echuca slipped to second with the loss and have to beat BLU and rely on Echuca South upsetting Moama to get top spot back for the finals.
Elsewhere, Rochester grabbed top spot on the ladder from Echuca with a decisive first innings win, highlighted by a century from its skipper Angus Martin.
After taking a 12-run first innings lead on the first day with six wickets in hand, Rochester boosted its score from 5-116 to an imposing 263 on Saturday on the back of a century from Angus Martin.
In making 104, the Rochester skipper faced 128 deliveries and hit 12 fours and one six.
Aidan Young’s 74 nearly stole the game away from the Flames.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
This was despite a top bowling effort from Moama’s Rhys Drennan who claimed 6-61 off 17 overs while Matt Saunders cleaned up the Rochester tail with 3-33 off 10 overs.
Tongala secured a first innings win against Nondies Cohuna after Jayden Tucker had batted the team to a first innings lead at the resumption of play on Saturday.
Continuing its first inning at 6-78 chasing LG’s first innings score of 90, Tucker took it upon himself to steer Tongala to victory with a match-winning knock of 87 off 180 deliveries with 10 fours and one six.
At one stage, Tongala was 8-86 in its run chase, but Tucker dominated a crucial 82-run stand with Zeke Neumann, who made only two.
Earlier, McKenzie Cowley contributed a fighting 24 with Tucker who batted Tongala within five runs of a first innings lead.
In its second innings, Tongala had LG battling at 5-46 at the end of play on day two.
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