The Goulburn Murray Cricket clash at Northern Oval wasn’t entirely smooth sailing for the Flames, but they finished comfortably on top, their run chase only requiring 35 overs.
Echuca was sent in by the hosts and, although plenty of batters made starts, none could go on to that defining knock that would have brought with it a big total.
Curtis Townrow got his money’s worth out of a six-ball stay at the crease, belting a four and a six and totalling 16 runs.
Brendan Moyle (19) and Aidan Young (23) looked in decent touch, but fell just as things were starting to build.
Similarly, the middle order was rife with credible scores, Archer Carlilie (17), Charlie Hinks (20) and Ben Henson (33) putting in industrious stays at the crease before losing their wicket.
Henson was the last to go, the rapid loss of partners in the tail and the increasing over count forcing his hand as he was caught with nine balls remaining in the innings, Echuca posting 150.
Strike quick Jackson Barnett led a strong bowling effort with 3-37, while Robert Salter, Cooper Fawcett and Oliver Hughes all took two wickets.
The Flames' chase wasn’t without pitfalls, but two men did what the Echuca order could not, and went on to game deciding scores.
Opener Miller Griffiths proved his side’s anchor, making a 96-ball 46 not out and losing several partners along the way.
The pairing with Cooper Fawcett was the partnership that stuck and from 3-57 the two brought Fire Brigade home.
Fawcett provided the attacking foil to Griffiths’ watchfulness, hitting 11 boundaries on his way to 64 from 65 as the Flames ran down the Echuca total with seven wickets in hand.
Charlie Hinks, Kale Edwards and Archer Carlile each grabbed a wicket each for Echuca.
Fire Brigade leads Rochester on quotient to possess fourth spot, but could lose it on its bye week on Saturday.
Echuca has some work to do in the remaining eight rounds, the four-time champion a game back from the top four.
Echuca hosts unbeaten league leader Moama at Rochester in the last round before the Christmas hiatus.
The Game
Echuca 150 (Ben Henson 33, Jackson Barnett 3-37) lt Kyabram Fire Brigade 3-152 (Cooper Fawcett 64 not out, Miller Griffiths 46 not out, Kale Edwards 1-20)
18°C