Stockdale smashes another ton to continue Moama’s unbeaten start

Stockdale’s third ton in the black and white was better than his second just the week before - clobbering 111 at the top of the order with a knock that included 16 fours and three sixes to lead his side to a 62-run win.

Winning the toss and electing to bat on its home deck, Moama got off to a decent start as Stockdale combined with Fraser Buchanan at the top of the order - navigating the first five overs before the latter was caught by Brendan Moyle for eight.

Moama captain Joel Murphy (7) got a start before he too was sent packing, this time being caught by Aidan Young off Archer Carlile’s bowling.

At the time of Murphy’s dismissal, Stockdale had already raised the bat for a whirlwind half century and was keeping the scoreboard ticking over while his side found its feet.

Just when the Mowers needed a steady hand to partner Stockdale, they found it in the form of last season’s skipper Anthony McMahon.

The pair put on a 98-run partnership and saw their side through to the 30-over mark as McMahon raised his bat for a hard-earned 50.

Unfortunately, he was brought undone moments later for 51 after a yorker by Curtis Townrow made the zing bails sparkle.

Not long after, Stockdale brought up triple figures once again - now boasting an average of 74 and the second-highest run tally in the competition heading into round four.

The little master didn’t die wondering - hammering a few more runs before he was ultimately caught by Declan Hancock, with Townrow striking again.

Through the remainder of the innings, Matt Saunders (30) was able to provide a consistent presence as the innings pushed along as Rhys Drennan (10) and Duane Johns (1) came and went.

After carrying his bat with an unbeaten century in B-Goulburn, Kirk Teasdale got the call-up to A-grade and guided the Mowers through the rest of the innings with 17 not out.

Unable to bowl Moama out after the first innings, Echuca had some serious work to do, needing 259 for victory.

Co-captain Brendan Moyle and Townrow got off to a solid start, tallying 24 between them, before Moyle (13) edged one through to Buchanan off Drennan’s bowling.

Townrow was on 11 when Archer Carlile walked out to bat, he then proceeded to tally a half century in 31 balls as Carlile played second fiddle.

The pair put on 58 between them before the latter was caught off Stockdale’s bowling for 10 and not an over later Townrow was heading back to the sheds after being clean-bowled by Saunders for 66.

Easton Carlile and Anthony Dennis were able to navigate an unsteady period, getting their side to 133 before the former had to depart for nine, with Moama’s Billy Gallagher jagging his first wicket.

Gallagher got his second shortly after, beating Young (30) all ends up to leave the visitors reeling in the 26th over with still over 100 required for victory.

Clay McGregor made short work of Ben Henson (9) before Gallagher found his third victim, Anthony Dennis, for one.

Co-captain Charlie Hinks and Declan Hancock were defiant, putting on 29 between them until Stockdale claimed his second, finding Hinks’ outside edged to Buchanan for 21.

Hancock (13) also knicked one behind to Buchanan off McMahon to send him back to the sheds, before McMahon claimed the wicket of Kale Edwards (1) in his next over to close out the game, with the defending champions falling 62 runs shy of victory.

The victory leaves Moama as the only unbeaten side heading into round four, with the Mowers earning a rest next week before returning in round five to face Leitchville-Gunbower.

Meanwhile, Echuca is on the outside of the top four looking in with a record of 1-2 and will look to get back on track against Echuca South in round four.