Echuca finished the McMahon Shield home-and-away season with a second consecutive minor premiership after repelling a gallant Rochester at the weekend, with a semi-final against BLU confirmed for the reigning champion.
Rochester started brightly in the run chase, with Adrian Pappin and Brandon Byrne resuming at 0-29 in pursuit of Echuca’s first-innings total of 223, one built on the back of a Curtis Townrow ton on day one.
Pappin crafted a well-made half-century, but after progressing to 58 without loss, the Rochester opener was bowled by Matt Hinks.
Jordan Bunce was next to go, although at 2-78, the momentum was still firmly with Rochester.
Aiden Young brought a swift end to that momentum with the wickets of Blake Evans and round 13 centurian Adam Ward within three deliveries, reducing Rochester to 4-89.
Young struck again with the wicket of Sean Williams to flip the game on its head, and with Young’s fourth wicket, that of Fraser Cleary, Rochester was stranded at 8-100.
Brendan Moyle and Ben Holt brought an end to the contest with a wicket each, with Echuca sealing a 72-run win.
Echuca will now begin its premiership defence in earnest with a semi-final clash this Saturday against last season’s grand final opponent BLU after the Lions stole a dramatic place in the finals.
Echuca captain Simon Maddox is pleased with his side’s form heading into the do-or-die match-up but believes his charges have a bit more to give.
“I feel like we haven’t hit our full straps,” Maddox said.
“Each week we’ve promised to post a really large total or promised to blast a side off the park but it hasn’t come just yet.
“There have been times we’ve had sides 5-80 and let them get out to 180.
“That will be the challenge in finals.
“We’ve been around the mark all year. I’m hoping we can take that next step come finals.”
The game
Echuca 223 (C.J. Townrow 103, A.J. Ward 6-43, M.B. Wade 2-32) d Rochester 152 (A. Pappin 53, J. Cuttriss 33, A. Young 4-18, C. Hinks 2-12)