Goulburn Murray Cricket’s two powerhouses last season, Echuca and Rochy were desperate for points in round eight at Windridge Oval at Rochester after middling seasons.
Having won the toss, Echuca sent Rochester in and it looked a good call early as wickets started to fall.
Both openers went cheaply, leaving Rochy 2-17, but Sean Williams and Dylan Cuttriss steadied things with a 65-run partnership.
Cuttriss was gone for 22, but Williams went on to a half-century, making 58.
Jesse Cuttriss took over the later overs, launching a late attack to make 50 unbeaten and get Rochester to a respectable 8-182 from its 50 overs.
Ben Henson was good with the ball for Echuca, taking 3-36, while Aidan Young and Kale Edwards snagged two wickets each.
The Echuca chase was up and down, but the champion looked strong in the early going.
Although Brendan Moyle left early for 9, Curtis Townrow (34) and Aidan Young (43) set a platform for their side.
Townrow did most of the early scoring, Young then working with a shaky middle order to get Echuca to 5-80.
Rory Carlile joined Young for the sixth wicket and the duo added 29 together, Echuca’s best partnership since the early overs.
After losing Young, Carlile would go on to make 50, but was trapped in front two balls later.
At that point, a grandstand finish was certain, Echuca (8-163) needing 20 runs, but with only two wickets in the sheds.
Simon Maddox’s (3) stay lasted only six balls, Echuca 9-168 and with plenty of overs remaining.
Set batter Ky Henson and last arrival Kale Edwards played within themselves in the hope of knocking off the 15 runs, making just seven off four overs.
The Angus Martin bowled 48th over would prove the decisive blow.
Although three wides were bowled and Henson picked up a single, putting Echuca three runs from tying things up, Martin eventually forced the misplay, and Edwards was caught, his side agonisingly short of the target.
It was Martin’s second scalp of the innings, while first innings half-centurions Williams (3-46) and Cuttriss (2-19) also showed their strike power with the ball.
The crucial competition points for Rochester (4-4) keep it around the finals conversation, level on points with fourth-placed Kyabram Fire Brigade.
However, Rochester is also the last side to take the bye, doing so this weekend.
Echuca (3-4) sits a game back, ahead of hosting winless Nondies-Cohuna this weekend as the first half of the season concludes.
The Game
Rochester 8-182 (Sean Williams 58, Jesse Cuttriss 50 not out, Ben Henson 3-36) d Echuca 179 (Rory Carlile 50, Aidan Young 43, Sean Williams 3-46)
16°C