Cooper Fawcett shows safe hands in the deep, removing Jesse Cuttriss in the final over of the Rochester innings. Photos: Jordan Townrow.
Goulburn Murray Cricket’s annual short form competition is under way, with the opening round of fixtures played on Thursday.
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Eight of the nine McMahon Shield teams, excluding Tongala, have entered sides in the five-week competition, with three Twenty20 rounds to be played on consecutive Thursdays, followed by a semi-final and final round.
Kyabram Fire Brigade successfully translated its strong 50-over form to the shorter format in round one, earning a comfortable seven-wicket win over Rochester at Windridge Oval.
The Flames sent Rochy in after winning the toss, and although the host made a good start, Fire Brigade had the response.
Archer Backway returns it from the outfield.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Sean Williams got Rochy moving at the top of the order, making 38 from 26, and when he and Jesse Cuttriss were at the crease, the innings was motoring along nicely to 3-73.
When Williams went, Cuttriss struggled for partners, eventually holing out in the final over as Rochy set a moderate 7-122.
The Flames’ Oliver Hughes was the standout with the ball, taking 4-27, including removing each of the top three.
Although Rochester took two early wickets in the Flames’ chase, Bohden Learmonth and Jake Gascoyne paired up for a game-winning 78-run partnership for the third wicket.
Tim Bubb slashes towards the off side.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Learmonth, who hit three fours and two sixes in his half century, eventually went for one too many and was dismissed when Fire Brigade trailed by just three, the opener making 59 from 42 deliveries.
Gascoyne finished on 40 not out from 34 balls as the Flames got home with seven wickets in hand.
Three Rochy bowlers shared the wickets, Myles Wade the most efficient with 1-7 in his single over.
Getting the job done in 16.4 overs, Fire Brigade had the second-best quotient of the opening round, trailing only a form-busting Nondies-Cohuna on the fresh table.
In a three-match season, every game is vital, and the Flames’ next contest will see them welcome Echuca to Northern Oval this Thursday.
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