Sport

Moama flexes with bat and ball over Blues

By Oliver Shedden

Jan 19, 2026

Hudson Kellett tries to get something going for Tongala. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Moama is steaming to the minor premiership and Goulburn Murray Cricket’s McMahon Shield flag for 2025-26 with yet another win in round 13.

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The Mowers hosted a struggling Tongala unit on Saturday at Moama Recreation Reserve, with the host barely leaving second gear in a 10-wicket victory.

Moama celebrates one of Clay McGregor’s four wickets in its 12th consecutive McMahon Shield win. Photos: Jordan Townrow

The Blues won the toss and elected to bat first in enemy territory, which proved a misstep as Anthony McMahon took an early scalp in the form of Tongala captain Jayden Tucker (7).

It wasn’t long before fellow opener Zeke Neumann was also heading back to the shed for seven, being beaten all ends up by Clay McGregor.

Anthony McMahon hits his delivery stride. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

First drop Ryan Smith (11) showed some fight alongside Hudson Kellett, but ended up being McGregor’s second victim, falling after a fighting 43-ball innings.

McGregor couldn’t be stopped, producing an absolute peach the next ball to dismiss Adam Nunn for a first-ball duck.

Fraser Buchanan made an unbeaten 20 with the bat and did some tidy work in the field. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

While McGregor didn’t get the hat-trick, off-spinner Billy Gallagher came up with the big wicket of Kellett, trapping him lbw for a defiant 31 off 42.

Surprisingly, the only Tongala batter outside of Smith and Kellett to do any sort of damage was 10th man Jessie Johnstone, who looked in fine form, but was left stranded in the middle with an unbeaten 17 off 26.

Zeke Neumann can’t keep it out. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

The Blues were ultimately rolled for 102 in less than 36 overs, as McGregor finished with best bowling figures of 4-18 and Gallagher chipping in with a hand 3-14.

In the ultimate showing of its batting class, Moama chased down the total in 12 overs, without losing a wicket.

Clay McGregor was all class with the ball. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Promoted from his usual position of number six to opener, Matt Saunders blasted an unbeaten 67 off 48 in a knock that included 10 boundaries and three maximums.

Usual opener Fraser Buchanan played the perfect supporting hand, turning over strike and waiting for the right ball, ending the innings with 20 not out.

Ryan Smith looks to jam down on the full ball.

The result means that Tongala has now been eliminated from finals contention with five rounds to go in the season, while the Mowers have virtually locked up the minor premiership, with their record extending to an absurd 12-0.

The hard road will continue for the Blues, who will host finals contender Kyabram Fire Brigade at Tongala Recreation Reserve.