The Flames elected to bat first at Moama Recreation Reserve but the opening combination of Paul Newman and Brett Andison wasn’t able to make a significant contribution.
After both fell for single-figure scores, Fire Brigade needed to launch a recovery mission from 2-17.
Coming off a century last round, Bohden Learmonth looked good again, making 44 as he combined with Miller Griffiths (23) for a 62-run third-wicket stand.
Griffiths was one of three Flames to fall in the 20s, joined later in the innings by Kaine Herbert (22) and Shannon Fleming (26).
Robert Salter (18) was the other meaningful contributor as the balanced Fire Brigade performance earned it a final total of 167, the tail bowled out with three overs remaining in the 45.
Matt Saunders (3-23) and Russell Stockdale (3-40) shared the wicket-taking duties, with Rhys Drennan chipping in 2-13.
Stockdale (9) departed early in the batting innings, but remaining opener Fraser Buchanan looked to be in good touch as he combined with captain Anthony McMahon for a 41-run third-wicket partnership.
McMahon made 26 and Buchanan 46 but, after a middle-order collapse, the game was tilted towards Fire Brigade when Buchanan left the middle at 7-98.
In his first appearance of the season, Jack Russell entered at number eight and executed a textbook limited-overs finishing performance, picking his spots in a 47-run innings that included five fours and two sixes.
Kirk Teasdale held on with Russell well and in a contrasting knock made 21 not out without finding the rope, and continued on after Russell was eventually removed short of his 50.
With nine balls remaining in the innings, an unfortunate wide ended things on somewhat of an anti-climax after Teasdale had levelled the scores the previous ball, Moama getting home by just two wickets.
Tom Owen tore apart the middle-order, getting Fire Brigade back in the game with 4-27, while Jackson Barnett followed up his nine-wicket day last weekend with 3-43.
A bye to Rochester helped the Mowers move into second position, trailing Echuca by just five competition points.
They return to action against dark horse Leitchville-Gunbower when matches resume on January 11.
Fire Brigade, now 3-4, face a must-win clash with Echuca South (3-4) on the resumption, the loser’s finals hopes beginning to slip away.
The Game
Kyabram Fire Brigade 167 (Bohden Learmonth 44, Matt Saunders 3-23, Russell Stockdale 3-40) lost to Moama 8-168 (Jack Russell 47, Fraser Buchanan 46, Tom Owen 4-27)
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