After a disappointing 0-2 start to the Goulburn Murray Cricket season, the Flames have found there form in recent weeks, never more clearly than in Saturday’s victory over Leitchville-Gunbower.
The L-G bowling attack had little answer for the strokeplay of the Fire Brigade top order after the visitor won the toss and batted at Gunbower Recreation Reserve.
Miller Griffiths was unstoppable throughout the innings, initially putting on a 60-run opening stand with Shannon Fleming (25).
After the removal of Fleming and Bohden Learmonth (16) gave L-G a sniff, the Flames slammed the door shut as Griffiths was joined by Jake Gascoyne.
The two added 116, Gascoyne bringing up his 50, while Griffiths went one better, saluting a century.
Gascoyne (55) was run out in the penultimate over, only encouraging Griffiths to go harder at the final deliveries, pushing on to 117 unbeaten as Fire Brigade set 3-231.
It was a tough shift for Leitchville-Gunbower’s bowling contingent and only James Keath (1-44) and Simon Tatt (1-48) enjoyed a wicket.
With a long road ahead, L-G’s run chase started disastrously with the early loss of Blake Gibson, but Tyler Jones and Scott Lucas made a determined effort to set their side up for success.
A 70-run stand for the second wicket had Fire Brigade nervous, but Jones, who had been in attack mode with seven fours and two sixes, holed out shortly after notching his half-century.
The middle order made a series of starts, but none of Lucas (38), Nicholas Horman (25), Jasper Hare (30) or Simon Tatt (12) could go on to make the big score their side needed.
Eventually overs and wickets started to run dry, the latter failing first as L-G was bowled out for 175.
Cooper Fawcett (3-24) was strong for Fire Brigade, while Oliver Hughes (2-29) and Wil Harrison (2-17) also bowled well.
Three wins on the bounce have the Flames lurking on the edge of the top four, ahead of hosting winless Nondies-Cohuna this weekend.
Leitchville-Gunbower (1-5) will need to start stringing results together soon if it hopes to compete this year, turning next to a match-up with Echuca in round seven.
The Game
Kyabram Fire Brigade 3-231 (Miller Griffiths 117 not out, Jake Gascoyne 55, James Keath 1-44) d Leitchville-Gunbower 175 (Tyler Jones 50, Scott Lucas 38, Cooper Fawcett 3-24)
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