Sport

Buchanan, McMahon shine with bat and ball to keep Moama undefeated

By Josh Huntly

Oct 29, 2023

Whacked: Fraser Buchanan compiled an invaluable 75 runs. Photo: Steve Huntley

After four rounds, Moama sits unbeaten atop the McMahon Shield cricket ladder.

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With the first month of cricket in the books, the ladder leader has been systematic and against its “biggest test to date”, the black and white made no mistake in the round four one-dayer against Bamawm-Lockington United.

Batting first, skipper Joel Murphy and Fraser Buchanan combined at the top of the order for a 59-run partnership before Noah Turner sent Murphy packing for 28.

Buchanan and Michael Hill kept the runs ticking, reaching 1-114 before Jeremy Felmingham captured Hill’s wicket for 29.

Liam Hamilton dismissed danger man Anthony McMahon while Buchanan continued to chip away, eventually holing out for a well-composed 75.

“He was able to bat for a long period of time,” Murphy said.

“It wasn’t the easiest pitch and the ball was sticking in the wicket a bit.

“He’s probably the big reason we got to 200.”

Set 206 for victory, BLU made a rapid start via skipper Regis Chakabva.

Despite the loss of Hamilton early, Chakbava powered along to an eventual score of 68, combining with Declan Pearse (32) to give the Lions the upper hand at 1-96.

“We knew that was probably going to be our biggest test to date,” Murphy said.

“Regis was batting well, we were in a bit of trouble, and they were flying at 1-96.

“Once we got him out, we could rattle through them.”

After missing out with the bat, McMahon made no mistake with the ball, removing BLU’s two set batsmen.

Pearse was his first wicket before Matt Saunders (2-14) sent last week’s centurion Werner Brand and Kade Pearse back to the sheds.

McMahon then had the prized wicket of Chakabva, and at 5-117, his wicket ultimately sparked a collapse of 5-27 to hand Moama the 69-run win, Rhys Drennan cleaning up the tail with 3-38.

“BLU has a couple of good players, so it’s good to come away with the win,” Murphy said.

“To post 200 was a good effort led by Fraser Buchanan. He batted through and allowed others to bat around him.

“Tony McMahon bowled well and got a wicket up top.

“Matt Saunders bowled well to build some pressure, then Rhys Drennan came back and got the last three.”

Moama is the last undefeated side after four rounds and hopes to keep it that way in next round’s two-day clash against Nondies-Cohuna.

“We weren’t expecting to be out ahead like this,” Murphy said.

“I think we have to be realistic. There are still challenges to come.

“We haven’t played the other top teams yet, so we have to keep working at it and keep ticking them off.”

Following the next round’s clash, the side will be eyeing a long-awaited return to Moama Recreation Reserve for the first time this season, with the club unable to access the pitch to date due to pitchworks.

“They redid the whole square; they had to wait for the Murray League grand final, obviously, so it couldn’t happen until late September,” Murphy said.