Moama continues to rule the McMahon Shield season, retaining its unbeaten record through 11 rounds with a two-wicket win over reigning premier Echuca at Victoria Park.
The top-of-the-table clash got under way in superb fashion for the visitors, who were asked to bowl by Echuca after losing the toss.
It was Anthony McMahon (2-18) that made the breakthrough in the first over for Moama, dismissing Brendan Moyle for a golden duck to have his side up and about from the start.
Moyle’s replacement, Kobyn James, has been brilliant for Echuca this season, but he too fell early, with league-leading wicket-taker Michael Hill tempting the young gun outside off, with an edge carrying through to the keeper to reduce the home side to 2-12.
Scottish import Ewan Davidson and Matthew Hinks set about recovering the innings for their side, combining for a 46-run stand before Davidson (32) was bowled by McMahon, while Hinks found a new partner in James Grixti (36), with the duo whacking 57 runs together before Grixti’s demise.
Hinks guided Echuca to 150 before he too fell, posting a superb 54 that helped his side to a competitive total of 7-198, backed up by Charlie Hinks who added an invaluable 24 runs batting at number seven.
While Echuca experienced an early loss of wickets, Moama’s chase couldn’t have begun in more different circumstances, with skipper Joel Murphy and Fraser Buchanan combining for a mammoth partnership to open the innings.
The century stand came to an end as Charlie Hinks (3-33) bowled Murphy to claim Echuca’s first wicket, but not before the Moama duo had put 109 on the board, 75 of which came from the blade of the captain.
Buchanan batted on, but Echuca began to find its rhythm with the ball, with Rory Carlile snaring the scalp of Hill (4) and running out the dangerous McMahon (13) to reduce Moama to 3-152.
Duane Johns (7) and Matthew Stone (3) became the next victims to go, before Rhys Drennan (1) and Buchanan also departed, the latter for a brilliant 57, to see Moama slump to 7-183.
Echuca battled until the end, still in with the faintest of sniffs when Billy Gallagher (7) was run out and Moama fell to 8-196, however Liam Stephens finished the job for the visitors, who keep the perfect record intact through 11 rounds.
Echuca remains second on the ladder despite the loss, ahead of what looms as a tight tussle between third and sixth place as finals draw closer.
The Game
Echuca 7-198 (Matthew Hinks 54, James Grixti 36, Anthony McMahon 2-18) lt Moama 8-200 (Joel Murphy 75, Fraser Buchanan 57, Charlie Hinks 3-17)