Dylan Cuttriss made a composed 99, but was run out seeking his hundred on the final ball of the innings. Photos: Bruce Povey
It was an ideal return to action in the McMahon Shield for Rochester, scoring a comfortable win over Tongala and returning to the top four.
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Last year’s Goulburn Murray Cricket A-grade grand finalist did it at a canter against Tongala in the first round since the Christmas hiatus, downing the Blues by 174 runs at Tongala Recreation Reserve.
Myles Wade took a team best 4-15.
Photo by
BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
Batting first after being sent in Rochester leant on two big innings from veteran players.
Tim Bubb got the side off to a solid start alongside Jake Wright, the pair adding 32 for the first wicket before Wright departed for 16.
Jayden Tucker is beaten by the short ball.
Photo by
BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
The dangerous Sean Williams only added 14 on this occasion before he too was sent to the sheds and, when Cale James went for 5, it looked like Tongala might be starting to gain ascendancy at 3-60.
The reliable Bubb was then joined by Dylan Cuttriss in the middle and the pair’s massive 161-run stand righted the Rochester innings.
Cale James slashes into the offside.
Photo by
BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
Cuttriss motored along at about a run a ball, while Bubb was a little more measured, but the duo worked well at the crease to build a significant total.
Both men raised the bat for half-centuries and tons were beckoning, but Mackenzie Cowley finally made the breakthrough for Tonny, removing Bubb for 75.
It started a small momentum swing for the Blues, as Ryley Cowley snagged two wickets in as many balls shortly after, Rochy losing 3-1.
Jesse Jackman is bowled to end the game.
Photo by
BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
Cuttris remained steadfast and looked to accelerate late with a century still on the horizon.
Needing six from the final over to notch his ton, Cuttriss made five from the first five balls but was cruelly denied the milestone, run out with the final delivery of the innings searching for a century confirming single.
Rochy celebrates the wicket of Braith Northausen.
Photo by
BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
He finished on 99 from as many balls as Rochester posted a competitive 7-248 from its 50 overs.
Ryley Cowley’s double strike in the middle overs earned him best figures for Tonny (2-46), while Lachlan and Mitchell Caldwell, Jesse Jackman and Mackenzie Cowley each took one.
Tim Bubb made a clinical 75.
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BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
Batting has historically been a point of weakness for Tongala and that proved to be the case again as the Blues fell well short of Rochy’s total.
Only three men, Ryan Smith, Mitchell Cornwall (both 10) and Jackman (12), reached double figures,, extras running away with the best score of the innings (24).
Wickets fell quickly early on as the Blues declined to 5-12 and, though some of the lower order showed resilience, Tongala was rolled for 74 runs.
Jesse Jackman strides into his delivery.
Photo by
BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
Myles Wade led the way for Rochester’s bowlers with 4-15, while the other used bowlers, Sean Williams, Cale James and Judd Cuttriss, took two each.
The Tongala bats appeared to be all edge early on, keeper Oliver Williams grabbing four catches behind the stumps.
With Fire Brigade falling at the weekend, Rochester claims outright fourth spot on the table, only trailing Bamawm-Lockington United by a win, although the Lions do have a game in hand.
Rochy will host the Lions on Saturday in a massive game for both clubs.
Meanwhile, Tongala is all but out of the finals race with a 3-8 record heading into an away clash with unbeaten leader Moama.
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