Tonny took on the challenge of batting first after winning the toss, but following a decent early partnership, the wickets began to tumble for Goulburn Murray Cricket’s lowest scoring batting side.
A solid start saw openers Lachlan Caldwell and Stephen Townsend combine for 34 runs from the first eight overs before the latter was bowled by a Sachin Peiris delivery.
Peiris then dismissed Ryan Smith (0) two overs later, before striking again with the final ball of the 13th over, claiming the major scalp of Caldwell.
Caldwell would end up being Tongala’s highest scorer with a knock of 29 off 44 balls that included six boundaries.
With the very next ball at the beginning of the 14th over, Blues captain Adam Nunn (2) was caught in the field by AK Gunathilaka.
Very little respite was afforded to the visitors, particularly by the bowling of Peiris and Asantha Singappuli, who combined for eight wickets.
Tom Holman (5) was run out on the final ball of the 18th, before Peiris bowled Kade Northausen (0) in the 19th as South made light work of Tongala’s middle order.
Batting ninth, Mitch Cornwall ended up with the most runs outside Tongala’s openers, looking comfortable with 10 runs off 20 balls, which included a six in the 22nd over.
In the 26th, Singappuli claimed the next two wickets, dismissing Zeke Neumann (4) via a Clayton Watson catch and bowling River Townsend (0).
Gunathilaka claimed the final wicket of Zac McKenzie (1), with Peiris adding to his four wickets by taking the catch that brought the innings to a close.
The hosts only required 71 to secure victory, and chased down the total with relative ease.
Opener Jayden Rosin wasted no time in the run chase, hitting five boundaries across the first four overs.
Rosin would finish not out with 43 off just 33 balls, registering an impressive strike rate of 130.
Fellow opener Peiris (17) was dismissed at 1-46 by Tom Holman, but it would be only consolation for the visitors.
Singappuli (8 not out) struck the winning runs in the 10th over to ensure ESCC returned to winning ways ahead of finals.
South is locked into a certain semi-final match-up against Bamawm-Lockington United, who at this stage will have home advantage after its win over Kyabram Fire Brigade.
ESCC will make the trip to Kyabram next week while Tongala hosts Leitchville Gunbower, aiming to end a challenging season on a high.
The Game
Tongala 70 (Lachlan Caldwell 29, Sachin Peiris 4-14, Asantha Singappuli 4-17) lt Echuca South 1-71 (Jayden Rosin 43 not out, Sachin Peiris 17, Tom Holman 1-20)
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