Echuca, Rochy set for face-offs

Cooma was first to bat at Tongala Recreation Reserve after winning the toss and, after an early loss, the side’s batters made good progress towards the target.

With Sophie McDonald and Sienna Brennan at the crease the Cooma innings was progressing nicely at 3-51 and Brennan continued with some of the remaining middle order to get the total near 70, before she retired unbeaten.

However, from a promising 4-71, the Cooma tail fell quickly and the innings was ended all out for 99.

Echuca’s Zoe Cook was in the mood for wickets, grabbing 4-22.

The Echuca chase started perfectly from a Cooma perspective, with Gillian Noelker run out with the first ball of the innings, and Terri Speight sent packing by Sophie McDonald a ball later, the host 2-0 from two deliveries.

Captain Jessica Cox had the quality to stem the bleeding and combined with Sophie Good to add 71 before her innings was ended on 34 from 28.

Good retired on 19, opening the door for Cooma to take a shot at two new batters, but Jordi Cain and Matilda Smith eventually inched Echuca over the line with six wickets in hand.

Eight different bowlers had a shot with ball in hand, but McDonald logged best figures of 2-26.

Maddisyn Cooper was the other wicket-taker, claiming 1-13.

Echuca will take on Rochester at Rochester on Sunday, ahead of repeating the encounter in a semi-final the following week.

Cooma finishes its season battling Katamatite at Strathmerton Recreation Reserve.

Rochester v Nathalia

In a low-scoring encounter, Rochester picked up a victory over Nathalia, continuing to build momentum towards the finals.

The Nathalia Showgrounds pitch had plenty of tricks on display, which was quickly evident after Rochy won the toss and elected to bat.

Wickets tumbled quickly, with only Rachael Major (12) able to reach double figures as the side was bowled out for 50.

Abby Favaro did the majority of the damage, taking 5-10, while Cody Power and Isabella Daniel snagged two wickets each.

Although the total may have looked like a cakewalk for Nathalia, they say to never judge a pitch until both sides have batted on it, and the adage proved true in this one.

Although Nathalia started a little better than Rochester had, with Jessica Daniel (9) and Tracey Brereton (11) making decent contributions in the top three, the side crumbled even more rapidly than its opponent.

Things looked to be in hand at 5-43, but Cadence Major in particular secured the match for Rochy, taking four scalps as the final five wickets fell without any further score.

Major took a ridiculous 4-1 in 2.4 overs, while Harriet East added 2-10 and Hayley Broucek, Taya Munro and Alyssa Braithwaite also took wickets.

Rochester sits in third place, equal with likely semi-final opponent Echuca.

Both sides will get a chance to preview that clash in the final round as they face off at Windridge Oval.

BLU v Katamatite

Bamawm-Lockington United’s chance at a finals spot took a hit as it suffered defeat by four wickets at Katamatite.

BLU showed resilience in the middle batting first, but struggled to build scoring momentum.

Amy Fitzgerald and Ruby Brentall each hit the balls limit and retired, but were eventually recalled as the Lions ran short of wickets.

Brentall finished with 11 not out, Fitzgerald on 8 and Daneika Hucker made a useful 10, but BLU was dismissed for 67 runs.

Kylie Wooden was the standout for Katamatite, taking four wickets.

The Katty openers then secured a platform for the successful chase.

Christina Roberts made a run-a-ball 10, while Matilda Iddles retired unbeaten on 20 and first drop Sienna Hutchinson added 11.

Once those three were gone, wickets started to fall, but it was too late for BLU to salvage the game and Katamatite limped over the line in 23 overs with four wickets in hand.

BLU isn’t entirely out of the finals race, but needs to score a big win over leader Moama in the final round and hope Katamatite falls to Cooma.