MOAMA has claimed the Goulburn Murray Cricket's minor premiership for 2019/20.
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Twelve months on from finding itself forced out of the finals altogether after its result against Echuca South in the final round was changed due to a South rule breach, the Magpies will have home field advantage in the opening week of the finals series.
The black and white will take on reigning premiers Rochester in the first semi-final, while second placed Tongala will host perennial grand finalists Kyabram Fire Brigade.
The final matches were decided after the GMC's final matches on Sunday afternoon.
●DUAL 80s from Dylan Cuttriss (87 not out) and Angus Martin (83 not out) saw Rochester force itself into the top four on the final day of the home-and-away season.
Rochester, which had to win to be a chance of making the four, finished 4/235, with the partnership between Martin and Cuttriss adding 161 runs.
Sean Williams (3/17) was a star with ball in hand, while opening batsmen Waugh George took a surprising 3/22 as Rochester rolled Echuca South for 128.
The win saw Rochester jump to fourth on points, with the match between Cooma and Tongala deciding the fate of the season.
●COOMA's season collapsed at the final hurdle on Saturday afternoon, losing its second game in two days and falling out of the top four.
A strong 71 from Daniel Coombs and some late support from Matt Ohlsen (43) powered Tongala to 9/183 at the end of its 45 overs.
Drew Barrett did all he could for Cooma, striking a classy 50 off 73 balls, but was unable to get enough support from his temmates.
Seven Cooma batsmen failed to reach double figures, as Tongala bowled the opposition out for 122 inside 40 overs.
While the result cost Cooma a spot in the four, Tongala locked down a home final for next week, setting up a clash with the Flames.
●MOAMA Recreation Reserve hosted a battle for top spot on Sunday afternoon, as Moama and Kyabram Fire Brigade clashed to end their home-and-away seasons.
Winning the toss and batting, the Flames looked set for a strong total as Kaine Herbert made a 90-ball 70 to set his side up.
But a lower order collapsed, which saw just one of the final six score more than 10, with Ky scoring just 8/159 from their 45 overs.
A 91-run partnership between Brad Jones and Anthony McMahon made a considerable impact on the match, with Jones scoring at more than a run a ball to make 76 from 69.
Moama would need just 35 overs to get past their target, finishing 4/161.
While Moama claimed the minor premiership, the Flames fell to third place and will now have to travel to Tongala to try and earn a spot in the final.
●ECHUCA finished its season on a high with victory against BLU.
A dominant showing with the ball from Fraser Brooks was key to victory, as he claimed 6/17 from 8.5 overs.
Richard Morris (50) and Joseph Nicholls (30) both played their part for BLU, would not be able to provide enough resistance, as their side was cleaned up for 140 inside 40 overs.
Charlie Hinks (43) and Troy Kenny (37 not out) both put strong scores in the book as Echuca made light work of the target in 27 overs.
GMC Finals Fixtures
A grade - February 29 - March 1: Moama v Rochester at Moama Recreation Reserve, Tongala v Kyabram Fire Brigade at Tongala Recreation Reserve.
B grade - February 29: Kyabram Fire Brigade v Moama at Northern Oval, Girgarre v Stanhope at Girgarre Recreation Reserve.
C grade semi finals - February 29: Rushworth (3) v Moama (6) at Rushworth Recreation Reserve, Stanhope (4) v BLU (5) at Stanhope Recreation Reserve.
C grade Preliminary finals - March 1: Kyabram Fire Brigade v (winner 4v5) at Northern Oval, Echuca v (winner 3v6) at TM Plumbing Giddings Co Oval, Bamawm.
D grade - February 29 - Stanhope v BLU at Cooma Recreation Reserve 2, Kyabram Fire Brigade v Rushworth at Brose Reserve.
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