Of course, other results had to go its way — BLU falling short of Echuca’s total certainly helped — but the Fire Brigade managed to bowl enough ‘Flame balls’ to guarantee the fourth spot in the final four.
After the Flames totalled 175 on day one, Tongala resumed at the crease none down for 14 with a big batting performance needed if the Blues wanted to rain on Fire Brigade’s parade.
It took just four overs for the Flames to break the game open when Kaine Herbert held on to an Alex Williams shot to dismiss the captain for just 10.
One often brings two, and just a couple of overs later Fire Brigade had another one, this time skipper Rob Salter trapping Stephen Townsend lbw for 15.
Darin Ohlsen and Mackenzie Cowley combined well for eight overs, building momentum for the visitors, but the latter fell into the same trap as Townsend, given out leg before wicket at the hands of Salter for 12 before he could really get going.
It was soon apparent that Ohslen would be the key for Tonny if it wanted to win, as he became the foundation for the innings while wickets fell around him.
Jayden Tucker (3), Adam Nunn (4) and Matt Ohlsen (3) contributed very little runs for their combined 89 balls faced, forcing the number three to work overtime.
After slogging away to dismiss Tonny’s stubborn defences, Salter finally got the one wicket that could threaten the Blues’ finals dreams, dismissing Darin Ohlsen for 43 and essentially icing the game.
With everything to gain and the end in sight, the Flames turned up the heat with just three wickets to get.
And of course, they would not be denied.
Keegan Miller (0) and Jessie Johnstone (3) were both out within four overs of each other, and just Hudson Kellet and Lachlan Caldwell remained with 77 still needed for a Blues victory.
After pushing the match to the 71st over, the Tonny tail enders could block no more as Kellet was caught by Brett Andison for seven.
And that was all she wrote.
Salter put in a vital performance with the ball en-route to the victory, leading the Flames’ bowling attack with figures of 5-34.
Fire Brigade, after being placed as low as seventh on the ladder, has managed to surge down the stretch of the season and usurp finals contenders BLU, Echuca South and Leitchville-Gunbower to squeeze into the 2024-25 McMahon Shield finals.
However, the Flames will need a Herculean effort to advance past the semi-finals, as they face table-topping Rochester at home.
The Game
Kyabram Fire Brigade 175 (Shannon Fleming 57, Riley Carver 34, Alex Williams 4-50) defeated Tongala 108 (Darin Ohlsen 43, Stephen Townsend 15, 5-34)
34°C