Anthony McMahon and Moama continued their stranglehold on the McMahon Shield with an emphatic victory over Kyabram Fire Brigade in round 12. Photos: Jordan Townrow
If you thought a holiday break would stop Moama’s momentum in Goulburn Murray Cricket’s McMahon Shield, you’d be wrong.
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The Mowers had little issue dousing the Flames in round 12, stretching their unbeaten streak to 11 at Moama Recreation Reserve.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bowl, a decision which would put them on the back foot immediately thanks to the exploits of openers Russell Stockdale and Fraser Buchanan.
The pair put on a staggering 129-run stand for the first wicket, taking the game away from the Flames from the start.
Kobyn James made 34 in the first innings.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Current champion player and batting competition leader Stockdale was the first scalp for Fire Brigade, being caught off Robert Salter’s bowling after carving out 85 off 68.
After struggling with the bat for much of the season, Buchanan found some vindication, raising the blade for a hard-earned 50 before being run out by Wil Harrison for a patient 62 off 98.
The rest of Moama’s batters built off the platform the openers created, with captain Joel Murphy making 27 before being trapped lbw by Jackson Barnett.
Cooper Fawcett gets some good flight.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Kobyn James at number four went almost a run a ball, nailing 34 off 36 before becoming Salter’s second scalp.
Anthony McMahon was the pick of the middle order, hitting 45 off 39 then being beaten all ends up by Barnett.
Rhys Drennan (6) didn’t add much to the scoreboard, as Duane Johns (16 not out) and Archie Teasdale (5 not out) guided Moama to a total of 6-289 off its 50 overs.
Oliver Hughes whips it in from the boundary.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
The Flames had the opposite start to their innings, as opener Miller Griffiths was cleaned up by Drennan’s sheer pace on the first delivery.
Fellow opener Bohden Learmonth and first drop Salter got things going for the visitors; however, the Flames couldn’t protect their stumps as McMahon snuck one through the gate to dismiss the latter for 15.
Two balls later Jake Gascoyne was out for a duck, the same way as McMahon found his groove.
Rhys Drennan pounces on the half volley.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
The situation continued to go pear shaped for the Flames as Stockdale plucked one off his own bowling to dismiss Cooper Fawcett for no score.
Learmonth continued to be the stone in the stream for the visitors, while Wil Harrison (4) was able to protect his wicket for 29 balls before he too fell, being caught by Murphy off Stockdale’s bowling.
Shannon Fleming managed seven off 12 before he was bowled through the gate by a Stockdale flipper to put the visitors in serious trouble.
Bohden Learmonth top scored for the Flames with 54.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
Learmonth raised the bat for a gutsy half-century off 80 balls at the top of the order, but that was short-lived as he was cleaned up by Drennan, leaving the Flames at a perilous 7-83.
Moama was well into Fire Brigade’s tail when Oliver Hughes (29 not out) played a defiant hand alongside Nick Smart (16) and Hunter Fawcett (19) to push their side into triple figures.
However, it was too little too late as the Flames were rolled for 157 in 48 overs, falling 132 runs short of victory in a lop-sided affair.
Hunter Fawcett sends down a bolt.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Not only did Stockdale top score with the bat, he also took 5-35 with the ball to emphasise his claim as the best player in the competition.
The Moama train will keep on rolling with the Mowers looking to extend their tirade at home against Tongala in round 13.
Meanwhile, Fire Brigade will look to get back on the horse against Leitchville-Gunbower at Northern Oval.
Jackson Barnett took 2-65.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
The Game
Moama 6-289 (Russell Stockdale 85, Fraser Buchanan 62, Rob Salter 3-46) d Kyabram Fire Brigade 157 (Bohden Learmonth 54, Oliver Hughes 29 not out, Russell Stockdale 5-35)