Sport

Lions toothless in chase

By Matthew Kappos

Oct 18, 2026

Luke Thompson held the innings together with the bat, but his 37 wasn’t enough for a Lions victory.

We look set for an enthralling McMahon Shield 1st XI competition two weeks in, with seven of the nine sides boasting a win coming out of Saturday.

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After starting strong against Echuca the previous week, Bamawm-Lockington United was brought back to earth by Leitchville-Gunbower at Gunbower, the Lions couldn’t find consistent partnerships hunting down 9-181, bowled out late for 166.

L-G looked in dire straits after winning the toss and batting, falling to 6-79, but Jason (32) and James Keath (40) saved the innings batting at seven and nine, getting the host through the 50 overs.

Thanvi Choudhury snared 4-24, earning BLU’s best figures.

The Lions’ chase started disastrously, with Kade Pearse gone in the first over and, while there were decent contributions in the early order, nobody was able to go on.

A strong partnership of 56 from Luke Thompson and Nick Smart brought BLU within striking distance, but after Thompson fell for an innings best 37, Smart (29 not out) was left short of time and partners, the Lions 15 runs short and dismissed in 48.3 overs.

Elsewhere, dominant wins were recorded by Echuca, Kyabram Fire Brigade and Moama, while Rochester sat out with a bye.

Rochy will take its own shot at L-G at Gunbower this Saturday, while BLU hosts Nondies-Cohuna.

The game

Leitchville-Gunbower 9-181 (50) (James Keath 40, Jason Keath 32, Thanvi Choudhury 4-24) d Bamawm-Lockington United 166 (48.3) (Luke Thompson 37, Nick Smart 29 not out, Simon Tatt 3-13, Liam Keath 3-51)