Alice Caldow and Tim Bubb had plenty to celebrate as Rochester defeated Tongala at home in round one of the 2025-26 McMahon Shield. Photos: Bruce Povey.
After a bitter defeat at the hands of Echuca in the 2024-25 McMahon Shield grand final, Rochester has begun its journey back to the big dance on a positive note, toppling Tongala in round one on Saturday.
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Playing on its home deck of Windrige Oval, Rochester lost the toss and was sent in to field as Tongala opted to put runs on the board early.
While Tongala’s openers, Stephen Townsend and Lachlan Caldwell, were able to navigate Sean Williams’ and Angus Martin’s opening spells, it wasn’t long before something had to give as Townsend (8) found the safe hands of Dylan Cuttriss off Martin in the eighth over.
Oliver Williams cuts it over point.
Photo by
BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
Caldwell (7) departed two overs later, with Brandon Byrne getting in on the action as Rochester found itself on top early.
Darin Ohlsen was at the crease for a short period but managed to get Tongala moving, adding 17 to the total before succumbing to a Cale James delivery.
Jake Wright remained 23 not out.
Photo by
BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
Ryan Smith and Jayden Tucker managed to bat 17 overs together and proved to be a stabilising force, putting on a 50-run partnership for Tongala.
Smith (26) was Alice Caldow’s first scalp of four for the day as her delivery found the safe hands of Myles Wade.
Matt Ohlsen made 19 in Tongala’s tail.
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BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
Caldow continued her purple patch with the ball towards the back-end of the innings, getting the wickets of Mitch Cornwall (4), Adam Nunn (2) and Kade Northausen (5).
A Sean Williams peach and a slick run out by Brandon Byrne and Oliver Williams closed the innings, with Rochester requiring 164 for victory.
Myles Wade and Brandon Byrne celebrate the dismissal of Lachlan Caldwell.
Photo by
BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
Sean Williams and Byrne set the chase up well for the host, putting on 50-runs between them until the former sent a ball flying into the hands of Nunn off Cornwall’s bowling for 30.
The same thing happened to fellow opener Byrne two overs later, with Nunn and Cornwall combining once again to dismiss him for 30.
Alice Caldow starred with the ball, taking 4-36.
Photo by
BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
Tim Bubb and Dylan Cuttriss toiled away, putting on 42 between the two of them before the latter was clean bowled for 18.
Bubb (31) was the last wicket to fall for Rochester, as Oliver Williams (32 not out) and Jake Wright (23 not out) steered their side to a six wicket win with the better part of 12 overs to play.
Sean Williams steams in.
Photo by
BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
Angus Martin fires one down.
Photo by
BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
The Game
Rochester 4-165 (Oliver Williams 32 not out, Tim Bubb 31, Mitchell Cornwall 2-19) defeated Tongala 163 (Jayden Tucker 40, Ryan Smith 26, Alice Caldow 4-36)
