Impressive: Tongala’s Lachlan Caldwell took 4/33 against Rochester. Photo: Bruce Povey.
With another Paul Newman century Kyabram Fire Brigade carried its current white-hot batting form into the first day of Goulburn Murray Cricket’s eighth round, against Echuca South in the clash at Kyabram’s Northern Oval on Saturday.
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After amassing 4/402 in the previous game, the Flames built an imposing 7/321, courtesy top order batsmen in openers Brett Andison and Miller Griffiths and Paul Newman,
Newman followed up his double century from the previous game with 118 while emerging star Griffiths posted a career high and commanding 82.
Griffiths was involved in 100 plus stands with his opening partner Brett Andison and also Newman to set the scene for the formidable Flames total.
Andison again stood up, contributing 62 off 87 deliveries with nine boundaries.
After the dismissals of Andison, Griffiths and Newman the Brigade’s middle order floundered as South’s bowler Simon Van Duinen picked up 5/84.
But with runs on the board, the Flames look to be a strong position to pull off another win this Saturday although South’s captain Ben Eade believes his team has the batsmen to challenge the Brigade score.
You beauty: Jessie Johnstone celebrates wicket of Sean Williams. Photo: Bruce Povey.
Tongala’s bowlers rallied late to dismiss Rochester for a gettable score in the game at Tongala.
After inviting Rochester to bat, Tongala struck early with skipper Alex Williams dismissing opener Brandon Byrne for a duck.
Rochester overcame that early setback.
Sean Williams (38) and Joel Bunce with a half century, supported by handy knocks of 18 by Angus Martin and 21 from Jesse Cuttriss respectively, put the visitors on course for a tidy score.
But Lachlan Caldwell and Travis Johnstone bowled Tongala back into the game by picking up Rochester’s last six wickets for 17 runs.
The promising Caldwell finished with 4/33 off 12 overs and Johnstone 2/7 off 11 overs.
In reply Tongala faced 13 overs and finished 1/21 at stumps with Steve Townsend unbeaten on 11.
Resolute: Tongala opener Stephen Townsend survived a testing period before stumps to ensure he will be at the crease come day two. Photo: Bruce Povey.
Cooma’s batsmen have a big run chase challenging them this Saturday after Moama posted an impressive 9/301.
Opener Fraser Buchanan with 67, Michael Hill (48), Anthony McMahon (56) and Jordan McGregor (34 not out) kept the runs flowing for Moama in the clash at Moama.
Opening bowler Hugo Bell with 3/40 off nine overs and Hunter and Cooper Fawcett, both with two wickets from lengthy spells, were the pick of the Cooma bowlers.
Cooper took 2/65 off 24 overs and Hunter 2/38 off 15 overs.
Nondies-Cohuna bounced back from a mauling by Fire Brigade’s batsmen in the previous round to post 5/307 against Leitchville-Gunbower at Cohuna.
The home team innings was highlighted by a century from Josh Novoselek whose unbeaten 120 was peppered with boundaries.
Opener Karim Marcelle was also in touch with the bat for Nondies with a patient 87 while Welsh import Archie Sussex continued to impress, scoring a stylish 70.
Echuca’s bowlers hit back against BLU after its batsmen had floundered, dismissed in 54.4 overs for a moderate 134.
Luke Thompson with 5/20 off 14 overs and Werner Brand with 3/27 off 13.4 overs carved through the Echuca batting line-up which had just the one shining light in Kobyn James who made 55.
But in reply BLU crashed to be 5/41 off 22 overs with Matt Hinks the Echuca hero with the ball, taking 4/18 off seven overs.
