A run-a-ball 31 from Lachlan Carver set up a winning start to the Goulburn Murray Cricket under-16 season for Fire Brigade on Friday evening.
Carver retired after striking three boundaries in his 32-run innings as Fire Brigade managed 6-94 from its 25-over allocation. Opener James Hargreaves (11) was the only other batsman to reach double figures as second top score was extras, the 25-run total including 18 wides.
Hunter Fawcett and Bill Hipwell made life tough for the Fire Brigade batsmen, Fawcett allowing only nine runs from his five overs and Hipwell taking 3-17 from his four overs.
Jim Hipwell took 2-20 from his five overs and Lachlan Werner one wicket in support of the major wicket-taker.
In reply Cooma was 4-3 after just seven overs before Jim Hipwell faced 48 deliveries and struck two boundaries in his top score of 14.
Jett Guiney faced 40 deliveries, batting at number seven, in his unbeaten five-run innings as Oliver Barnett and Riley Carver both took three wickets.
Two of Carver’s three wickets came in the space of three deliveries, while Barnett achieved the same feat in his final over — Cooma’s nine available wickets falling for 34, 60 runs shy of the Fire Brigade total.
• Tongala sent Echuca in after winning the toss in their under-16 battle, a wicket to Jessie Johnstone with the third ball of the innings the reward for the decision.
It was, however, in vain as the Tongala run chase fell seven runs short.
Johnstone took 2-11 from his five overs, the best of the Tongala bowlers, as Echuca recovered to score 5-102 at the compulsory closure of its innings after 25 overs.
Echuca was 3-38 in the 12th over before Easton Carlile stepped up and scored 30 (retired) from 43 deliveries in an hour at the crease, which was rewarded with three boundaries.
Angus Haswell (11) and James Graham (17) provided the back-up, with 13 wides among the 21 extras.
Braith Northausen (14) struck two boundaries to open the Tongala innings, before Huson Kellett arrived to score 18 (from 24 deliveries).
They were supported by Sebastian Cornwall (10), but Tongala’s last six wickets fell for 30 runs after the foundations of the innings had been set.