Captain Courageous: Dylan Cuttriss played an impressive counter-attcking innings, smashing 78 of 70 balls, to lead Rochester to victory. Photos: Bruce Povey
Rochester has stunned Echuca South and taken its spot in the top four of the McMahon Shield after a tail-end fightback on day two of their match at Echuca South Recreation Reserve.
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After the batsmen found the conditions tough going on day one, the Goulburn Murray Cricket game resumed with Rochester at 7-60, still 21 in arrears of the Swans’ first innings 81.
Watchful: Sean Williams provided an effective foil to his captain’s flamboyance, grinding out 34 from 85 deliveries.
However, leading run-scorer Sean Williams and captain Dylan Cuttriss put on a heroic stand for the eighth wicket, adding an additional 52 runs to the overnight total as Rochy breezed past South’s first innings score for first innings points.
In a match where no other batsmen scored more than 34, Cuttriss belted 78 off just 70 deliveries before becoming the last batsman to fall with the score at 169.
Pacey: Angus Ward grabbed a bonus wicket during Echuca South’s second innings start.
Williams (34) was more steadfast but held down his end well, facing 85 balls at one end, while Cuttriss launched his counterattack from the other.
Bodyline: Adam Ward launches into his delivery stride, preparing to deliver a short ball.
In a disappointing day for South from a team perspective, there was some personal glory to be had as Mitchell Stephens, who started the day with figures of 6-25, eventually added both Williams and Cuttriss to his tally to finish with 8-61.
He would have held the distinction of competition-best figures, eclipsing the mark of 6-3 set by Jack Norris in round two, except for the efforts of Kyabram Fire Brigade’s Robert Salter (8-41) who also took eight wickets this round.
With the first innings lost and not enough time left in the day for an outright victory, there was little left to be gained for Echuca South, who made a start of 2-39 before stumps were called on the final day.
Evasion: Tom Morphett ducks the short ball.
With the victory, Rochester passes South on the table and now sits in fourth place, holding a narrow advantage over the Swans and Kyabram Fire Brigade, who also failed to gain points this round.
Rochy will travel to Victoria Park in the final round as it seeks to hold on to its finals place.
Lofted: Asantha Singappuli launches this delivery into the offside.
The Swans now languish in fifth and must score a result against a resurgent Leitchville-Gunbower, which is coming off its first win of the competition, to have any hope of playing finals.
The Game
Echuca South 81(Asantha Singappuli 34, Sean Williams 5-25) and 2-39 lost to Rochester 169 (Dylan Cuttriss 78, Sean Williams 34, Mitchell Stephens 8-61)
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