Kyabram Fire Brigade is burning white-hot, taking down Rochester in round six. Photos: Bruce Povey
It took a few rounds to dust off the cobwebs, but it seems like Kyabram Fire Brigade has found its groove, nabbing its second win on the bounce in round five against 2024-25 McMahon Shield runner-up Rochester.
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Travelling to Rochester Recreation Reserve, the Flames lost the toss and were sent into bat, with the host angling for a low total to chase.
Rochester got the jump on Fire Brigade early, as opener Miller Griffiths (1) was headed back to the sheds after being caught by Dylan Cuttriss off Angus Martin’s bowling.
Sean Williams was Rochester’s top scorer with 48.
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BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
Fellow opener Shannon Fleming (18) was next to depart after facing a peach from Martin, sending the bails flying.
From there, The Flames found their feet.
Bohden Learmonth put in a defining knock for Fire Brigade, scoring 74.
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BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
Bohden Learmonth and Jake Gascoyne put on 95 for the third wicket, putting their side in a great position to accelerate through the back half of the innings.
Like the hydra, once Gascoyne (43) was bowled by Adam Ward, a new threat popped up in his place in Cooper Fawcett.
There were plenty of smiles for the Flames in round six.
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BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
After a strong innings, in which he raised the bat for a half-century, Learmonth was eventually caught by Judd Cuttriss off Ward’s bowling for 74.
Fawcett and captain Rob Salter navigated the Flames to a strong total, putting on 72 between the two of them.
Dylan Cuttriss cuts away.
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BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
Neither Fawcett nor Salter got a red ink, with the former being caught after saluting for 50 and Salter was dismissed for 29.
By that time, the damage was done with Rochester unable to bowl out the Flames, instead, chasing 233 for victory.
Sean Williams fires down a rocket.
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BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
Rochester’s Martin (2-35), Williams (2-37) and Ward (2-31) shared the wicket bounty.
With a big chase required, the host got off to a flier, with openers Brandon Byrne and Williams putting on 78 for the first wicket.
Archer Backway slings it down.
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BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
On the verge of a half-century, a mix-up running between the wickets resulted in Williams being run out for 48.
Byrne was also heading back to the sheds after being caught by Miller Griffiths off Oliver Hughes’ bowling for 39.
Jake Gascoyne clips it off his pads.
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BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
First drop Oliver Williams (10) didn’t hang around for too long, becoming Hughes’ second scalp, while Dylan Cuttriss could only manage 15, before he too was on his way.
Ward (44) gave the home side hope, holding firm at number five, partnering captain Martin (20) and Cale James (25 not out).
There was no stopping a Fire Brigade unit on song.
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BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
Once Ward was bowled by Archer Backway, Jesse Cuttriss dug his feet in for a gritty 19 not out alongside James.
However, it wasn’t enough to chase down Fire Brigade’s total, falling three runs short after the 50 overs with three wickets still in hand.
Rochy celebrates a wicket.
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BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
Wickets were difficult to come by in round five, with Hughes and Fawcett taking best figures for the Flames with 2-35 and 2-30, respectively.
Rochester is still clinging on to a top four position but will be pressured to get back on the board, particularly as it faces undefeated Bamawm-Lockington United in round six.
Jesse Cuttriss gets creative.
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BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
Meanwhile, the Flames will look to continue their ascension, with a winnable game against Leitchville-Gunbower in store on Saturday.
The Game
Kyabram Fire Brigade 6-232 (Bohden Learmonth 74, Cooper Fawcett 50, Adam Ward 2-31) d Rochester 7-229 (Sean Williams 48, Adam Ward 44, Cooper Fawcett 2-30)
