The home side won the toss and elected to bat first. But the Fire Brigade bowling attack, led by Ben Langley’s 3/22 and Marx De Villiers’ 2/17, rolled Echuca for 100 after 42 overs.
In reply, Fire Brigade’s top order got starts but could not capitalise with Justin Elliott falling for seven and De Villiers for 16.
That brought to the crease Newman, the club stalwart who has only played twice this season. In his first match he did not bat, meaning the Echuca encounter was his batting debut in nearly a year.
Nevertheless he shook off the rust in record time, smashing seven boundaries, which included three sixes on his way to 52 not out.
Fire Brigade chased down the Echuca total in just 24 overs for the loss of three wickets.
The win was not a crucial one for the away side, as they remain atop the GMC A grade ladder.
But for Echuca a loss throws the side into turmoil as the fifth and sixth-placed sides both won on Saturday and now threaten to knock the bottle green off their finals spot perch.
Bamawm Lockington United and Moama are now both on 66 points, just a win away from Echuca’s 78.
In other A grade matches on Saturday, Tongala overcame a dogged Rochester side away from home after electing to bat first at Moon Oval.
And at 4/122 the decision looked to have been a great one — until the middle and bottom order collapsed for a further 18 runs.
Clayton Thompson (40) top scored for Tonny, while Dan Coombs (34) pitched in to help take Tongala’s total to 140 all-out.
Sean Williams was the chief destroyed for Rochy, nabbing 4/23, while Myles Wade grabbed three of his own.
The match seemed to be in Rochy’s hands as the openers walked out.
That was until a huge spell from Tonny’s bowling attack saw five Rochy batsmen fall for a combined 19 runs.
Adam Nunn took two, while Lucas Hughes took a further three to firmly cast the result in doubt.
The bowlers met resistance in the middle order, with Angus Martin putting together a well made 52 and Hamish Hooppell grabbing a quick 18.
But ultimately Tonny got the best of the home side, and were bowled all out for 118.
Moama is also still in the running to make the top four after a strong showing with the bat against Cooma.
Large contributions with the willow from across the team led Moama to score 7/170 from their 45 allocated overs.
Top contributors were Angus McMahon (35) and Jordan McGregor (28).
And after a strong start of their own where they reached 5/115, Cooma’s middle and lower order fell away for just 33 runs, leaving the side all out for 150 with nine balls remaining in the day.
Darcy Elliott was prime destroyer for Moama, knocking over three Cooma batsmen, while Ben Docking and Angus McCann both took two each.