At Bamawm Recreation Reserve, BLU strike bowlers sent Rochy’s top three packing for ducks, critically wounding the visitor’s run chase before it began.
Earlier, the Lions won the toss and batted first, hoping to show that their batting line-up, which had been quiet despite the side’s strong start to the year, had the goods against last year’s grand finalist.
Kaydn Blachford (7) departed early, but Liam Hamilton (3 from 36) put plenty of value in preserving his wicket, allowing captain Regis Chakabva to go to work at the other end.
Chakabva posted a brisk 31 from 48, partnering with Kade Pearse after Hamilton’s departure.
BLU was 4-56 after Pearse (10) left the crease, top scorer Luke Thompson (41) joining Woody Wilson (16) for a 28-run stand.
Myles Wade had been impactful in removing the Lions’ top order, but Cale James took his opportunity in the middle overs, removing Wilson and later Josh Cairns to get into the tail.
Unfortunately for Rochy, number nine Noah Turner found himself in fine form, playing beyond his station and making 40 unbeaten.
He, partnered with Thompson, brought the Lions from a paltry 7-119, to a much more defendable 8-181 after 50 overs.
Thompson was run out in the last over, desperately trying to add to the tally.
Wade (3-31) and James (2-13) remained the pick of Rochester’s attack on the final scorecard.
The second innings started with a BLU blitz, the Lions’ frontline bowling duo of Jeremy Felmingham and Pearse removing Brandon Byrne, Sean Williams and Tim Bubb, all for ducks, within the first three overs.
Reeling at 3-1, Oliver Williams and captain Angus Martin steadied the ship, putting on 21 for the fourth wicket.
Martin would go on to make a team best 37 from 27 balls, but when he fell, the visitor was six down and with only 49 on the board.
Cale James tried to add some resilience to the lower order with 28 from 56 balls, but eventually became the last man out as Rochy capitulated for 103 from 37.4 overs.
Felmingham finished with best figures of 4-37 and Pearse 2-15, while first change option Prateer Mehta bowled five maidens in posting 3-11.
The perfect BLU still trails Moama on quotient and now moves into an intriguing clash with Echuca South (4-1) this week at Echuca South Recreation Reserve.
Holding fourth with a 3-3 record, Rochester is currently boasting best of the rest status, but could shake that moniker if it becomes the first team to down Moama when the sides face off at Moama Recreation Reserve.
The Game
Bamawm-Lockington United 8-181 (Luke Thompson 41, Noah Turner 40 not out, Myles Wade 3-31) d Rochester 103 (Angus Martin 37, Jeremy Felmingham 4-37, Prateer Mehta 3-11)
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