The Flames romped to a 10-wicket win Goulburn Murray Cricket’s McMahon Shield at Tongala Recreation Reserve, the Blues’ batters unable to get out of second gear while batting first.
It was a tenacious and resilient innings from Tonny, but that staying power wasn’t coupled with run scoring, as the host managed 81 runs from 42 overs at the crease, scoring at less than two an over.
The top order didn’t make much of an impact on the scorecard, departing for a combined 14 runs, before Braith Northausen and Matt Ohlsen added some respectability to the innings with their partnership for the fifth wicket.
Where the rest of the batters faltered, the duo put together a useful stand, Northausen adding 26 before he became one of Hunter Fawcett’s four victims.
Ohlsen held firm, finishing with an unbeaten 25, but the Blues tail capitulated quickly, the last three batters going for no score as Tongala was bowled out for just 81.
The scorecard read well for Fire Brigade’s bowling unit, the standout being Hunter Fawcett, who took an incredible 4-6, bowling five maidens in his eight overs.
Cooper Fawcett also had a good performance, taking 2-14, while Oliver Hughes (2-20) joined him with two wickets.
Captain Robert Salter was at peak efficiency, bowling nine overs, five maidens and conceding just four runs while also claiming an early wicket, while Jackson Barnett rounded out the wicket takers for Fire Brigade.
With a modest 82 required for victory, the Flames’ openers showed a singular determination, rolling to the target without loss, and in less than 20 overs.
Fire Brigade’s leading run-scorer, Miller Griffiths, was a single short of another half-century, making 49 not out, while Oscar Carver proved a willing deputy, posting 23 unbeaten.
Five Tongala bowlers took a shot with ball in hand, but none could muster the breakthrough, Dylan Taylor’s 0-6 the side’s best figures as he conceded just three an over.
Ohlsen backed up his batting with 0-13 from four overs, while Callum Tucker bowled 6.4 for 22 runs.
The big victory was a needed boost to the Flames’ quotient, after their chief rival for fourth place, Rochester, also earned a 10-wicket win at the weekend.
The two sides are currently level on points after seven wins each, Rochester holding the edge on quotient 1.244 to 1.172.
With four rounds to go the Flames will hope to take advantage of an early bye, having four more opportunities to earn points this campaign compared to Rochester’s three.
With that advantage in mind, should Fire Brigade defeat Rochy in their clash at Northern Oval on Saturday, it would be in prime position to secure a finals berth.
Meanwhile, this result mathematically ends Tongala’s finals hopes, the Blues with three wins and 10 losses.
The opportunity to play spoiler remains and a desperate Echuca will visit Tongala Recreation Reserve on Saturday, the four-time champion needing every point it can muster in the last month if it hopes to make finals.
The game
Tongala 81 (Braith Northausen 26, Matt Ohlsen 25 not out, Hunter Fawcett 4-6) lt Kyabram Fire Brigade 0-82 (Miller Griffiths 49 not out, Oscar Carver 23 not out, Dylan Taylor 0-6)
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