Sport

Flames edge out L-G in tight affair

By Oliver Shedden

Jan 18, 2026

Miller Griffiths continued his strong McMahon Shield season, surpassing 400 runs with a starring 85 against L-G. Photo: Bruce Povey

Kyabram Fire Brigade is still in the hunt for a top-four finish and sits half-a-game back from a finals spot after squeezing past Leitchville-Gunbower in round 13.

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Hosting L-G at Northern Oval, the Flames won the toss and elected to bowl first, looking to keep the visitor to a low total.

While opener Blake Gibson (10) was gone early thanks to a Shannon Fleming catch off Hunter Fawcett’s bowling, his partner Tyler Jones got going at the top of the order.

Scott Lucas (2), Jasper Hare (2) and Simon Tatt (5) didn’t impact the scoreboard much, but Nicholas Horman (13) made a dent before he departed.

After Tyler Jones was sent on his way for 40 after Nick Smart hung on to a sharp catch off his own bowling, Jason Keith became the linchpin of the L-G innings.

Captain James Keath managed to add a vital 27 off as many balls to go along with Jason, who raised the bat for a hard-fought half-century.

At the conclusion of the 50 overs, Jason Keath (62 not out) and Jye Keath (13 not out) looked set as L-G finished at 8-184.

The Flames started in similar fashion to L-G as opener Oscar Carver was gone for a duck, while Miller Griffiths looked strong from the outset.

While Griffiths was firing, he received little help from the middle order as Bohden Learmonth (2) and Smart (0) barely impacted the scoreboard, while Jake Gascoyne (12), Will Harrison (11) and Fleming (11) couldn’t capitalise on starts.

Fire Brigade captain Rob Salter managed to partner Griffiths effectively, putting 24 on the board before he was dismissed.

After raising the bat and going close to triple figures, Griffiths (85) was eventually out as James Keath got his man.

In the end, it didn’t matter as Oliver Hughes (18 not out) and Hunter Fawcett (12 not out) got the Flames over the line with eight balls remaining.

The win means Fire Brigade is closing in on Rochester for that coveted final place in the finals, as the top three are all but locked in, in some order.

Meanwhile, barring a miracle, L-G is all but out of finals and will look to regain some pride in round 14 against third seed Bamawm-Lockington United.

The Flames should bank another win on Saturday, taking on Tongala at home.

The Game

Leitchville-Gunbower 8-184 (Jason Keath 62 not out, Tyler Jones 40, Robert Salter 2-26) lt Kyabram Fire Brigade (Miller Griffiths 85, James Keath 3-37)