Brendan Moyle and Echuca secured a gritty 33-run victory over Kyabram Fire Brigade in round two. Photos: Jordan Townrow.
Itching to get on the board after a nail-biting loss to Bamawm-Lockington United in round one, Echuca’s bowlers managed to keep Kyabram Fire Brigade at bay in round two of the McMahon Shield.
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Playing at its surrogate home deck of Windrige Oval in Rochester, Echuca lost the toss and was sent in to bat by the Flames.
While Curtis Townrow and Brendan Moyle started off hot, smashing 17 runs off the first two overs before the former was trapped lbw by Rob Salter for seven at the start of the third over.
Kyabram Fire Brigade celebrate a wicket.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
It wasn’t long before fellow opener Moyle was heading back to the sheds, nicking one through to wicket keeper Shannon Fleming off young gun Jackson Barnett’s bowling for 11.
Archer Carlile was joined by his brother Easton out in the middle for a short period of time before both were dismissed within two overs.
Brendan Moyle late cuts for runs.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Aidan Young didn’t (9) contribute much in his 15 balls at the crease before Oliver Hughes found the edge of his bat.
With Echuca reeling at 5-53, veteran Anthony Dennis and up-and-comer Ben Henson dug in through the middle of the innings, navigating the Flames tricky bowling for 18 overs.
Jackson Barnett starred with the ball for the Flames taking 3-17.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
The pair’s patience and resilience allowed for a 61-run partnership for the sixth wicket, with Henson making 23 from 73 balls and Dennis top-scoring with a gritty 65.
Outside that pivotal partnership, none of Echuca’s tail wagged, with the side bowled out for a respectable 159 as Jackson Barnett, Riley Carver and Oliver Hughes all taking three wickets.
Archer Carlisle’s forward defence looks rock-solid.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
With a less-than-ideal total on the board, Echuca were forced to bowl tight if they had a chance to win.
Fortunately, the green machine struck in the third delivery of the second innings as UK import Joshua Wills bowled Shannon Fleming for a golden duck.
Robert Salter fires down a pearler.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
The partnership of Miller Griffiths and Bohden Learmonth made it through to the 13th over before the former was trapped lbw by Aidan Young for 18.
Ky Fire Brigade was off to a much better start to their innings than the defending champs, with Jake Gascoyne (5) departing in the 24th over.
Hunter Fawcett moves well in the field.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Learmonth and Cooper Fawcett managed to bring their side on the verge of triple figures before the former’s impressive effort was brought undone by Ben Henson for 46.
Fawcett (20) was sent packing shortly after, with Henson striking again in the 35th over.
Jake Gascoyne saves a boundary.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
With the Flames needing 60 for victory in 15 overs and plenty of wickets in hand, the game looked all but lost for Echuca.
Yet, the four-time defending champions showed why they have had the majority share of the McMahon Shield to start the decade.
Hunter Fawcett whips it into the keeper.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
It was a well-rounded bowling effort for the green machine as nobody batting six or lower made more than nine runs for the visitors - being bowled out in the 46th over for 126, 33-runs shy of victory.
With Echuca getting the breakthrough it was searching for through a true team effort, it’ll face its toughest test yet in round three - a date with fierce rivals and formidable foe Moama at Moama Recreation Reserve.
The Game
Echuca 159 (Anthony Dennis 65, Ben Henson 23, Jackson Barnett 3-17) defeated Kyabram Fire Brigade 126 (Bohden Learmonth 46, Cooper Fawcett 20, Ben Henson 4-13)
