A brave Leitchville-Gunbower has fallen short of recording its maiden win for the season, suffering a 20-run loss at the hands of Kyabram Fire Brigade at Gunbower Recreation Reserve.
Having bowled extremely well to have the Flames all out for 187 on day one of their Goulburn Murray Cricket clash, L-G weathered a nasty six-over spell to resume day two at 0-1.
Tyler Jones (9) and captain Joshua O’Shea (11) remained at the crease overnight, however, both made their way back to the pavilion relatively early after falling to Robert Salter (4-52).
The L-G batters were placing a high price on their wickets, with Blake Gibson soon after departing for 15, having faced 52 deliveries, while Simon Tatt took it to new levels, with his seven runs coming off 71 balls before he was dismissed by Tom Owen (1-13).
Jason Keath looked to be the key for L-G if it was to secure its first victory of the season, as he slowly but surely accumulated runs.
Those around him, however, continued to fall without adding significant runs, with Matthew Hawken (9) and Jye Keath (13) both sent packing.
Jason Keath saluted a brilliant half-century, however, as he crept to 68 from 160 balls in a marathon innings, he holed out off the bowling of Salter, leaving the L-G tail to chase the remaining runs.
But the Flames could smell blood and Wil Harrison (2-21) helped close out the L-G innings, with the home side losing 4-7 to be all out for 167, 20 runs shy of what would have been its first win for the season.
The Game
Kyabram Fire Brigade 187 (Brenton Sheppard 66, Miller Griffiths 27, James Keath 4-51) d Leitchville-Gunbower 167 (Jason Keath 68, James Keath 18, Robert Salter 4-52)