Jackson Barnett and Tom Owen high-five after Barnett dismissed Echuca’s top scorer Aidan Young for 75. The wicket proved a turning point in the match, as Kyabram took the last five wickets for just 18 runs to score a season-salvaging win. Photos: Matthew Kappos.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
Kyabram Fire Brigade’s season remains alive after a down-to-the-wire victory over Echuca in round 13 of the McMahon Shield.
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Play resumed on day two of the Goulburn Murray Cricket clash at Victoria Park with the host 2-26, looking to hunt down the Flames' first innings total of 186.
Jackson Barnett added two more wickets to the two he retained overnight, finishing with innings best figures of 4-59.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
Brendan Moyle was the not-out batsman overnight coming in 20 not-out, and after Charlie Hinks (6) was dismissed with the final ball of day one, new batsman Curtis Townrow joined him at the crease to begin day two.
The pairing only made it through two and a half overs before Flames captain Robert Salter removed Townrow cheaply, giving his side the dream start it needed.
Aidan Young put on an aggressive 75, finding the rope 11 times. Photos: Matthew Kappos.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
Kobyn James made his way to the crease and kick-started a strong middle order performance from Echuca, but soon found himself without a partner as Moyle went for 25.
Aidan Young joined James at the crease and the pair added 36 for the fifth wicket, James eventually becoming Jackson Barnett’s third victim.
Riley Carver was efficient with the ball, taking 3-8 in eight overs.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
Young gun Easton Carlile was the next man in and formed an innings-defining partnership with Young.
Batting together for nearly 25 overs, the pair added 97 runs, Young shouldering the majority of the scoring load with 10 fours and a six.
Ben Henson sees one past his leg stump.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
The duo put Echuca in the box seat to claim the points, a win looking inevitable with the hosts at 5-159.
Barnett’s fourth wicket of the innings proved a crucial turning point as he blasted through Young’s defences in the 54th over, removing the Echuca half-centurion for 75.
Easton Carlile sets off down after glancing it to fine leg.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
Things began to look dicey as Carlile departed for 20, the Flames sensing an opportunity to run through the tail.
Echuca trailed by only 20 runs with three wickets in hand, but the remaining batsmen couldn’t muster much resistance against Fire Brigade’s motivated attack.
Shaun Doolan sets up for his next delivery.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
The defensive wall was put up, and the tail held on for another 10 overs, but the runs weren’t coming, and the defending premier found itself all out for 178, only six runs shy of the target.
Young’s 75 was by far the batting performance of the innings, Moyle (25), James (24) and Carlile (20) all making starts but were unable to push on to a big score.
Wicket-keeper Tim Nelson and Miller Griffiths await the next delivery.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
Barnett (4-59), Salter (3-61) and Riley Carver (3-8) shared the wickets, while the Flames' other bowlers managed some miserly spells to keep Echuca short of the target.
The win puts Fire Brigade in with a realistic chance of making the final four, trailing BLU by just six points heading into the last round.
Ironically, after beating Echuca, the Flames need a favour from the champion, as the Lions will be the next visitor to Victoria Park over the coming fortnight
The Flames have an easier match-up than BLU on paper, hosting Tongala at Northern Oval in Kyabram.
Echuca will be motivated against BLU in the final round, a chance to earn the minor premiership still on the table for the three-time champion.
The Game
Kyabram Fire Brigade 186 (Kaine Herbert 35, Kale Edwards 3-40) defeated Echuca 178 (Aidan Young 75, Jackson Barnett 4-59, Riley Carver 3-8, Robert Salter 3-61)
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