Sport

Top four set ahead of major break in GMCW

By Oliver Shedden

Dec 16, 2025

Delaney Laffey led Moama past Echuca in the final GMCW round for the year. Photos: Matthew Kappos.

Rochester, Moama, Nathalia and Bamawm-Lockington United comprise the top four of Goulburn Murray Cricket’s Women’s competition after the finals games of the year in round nine.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

Rochester holds top spot after laying waste to Cooma, the Lions scratched and clawed their way past higher-seed Nathalia and Moama made light work of its cross-town rival Echuca on Sunday.

Echuca v Moama

Moama trails only Rochy in the standings after vanquishing the girls in green in neutral territory at Tongala Recreation Reserve.

Mia Arthurson gets one through the covers. Photo by Matthew Kappos

The Mowers won the toss and elected to bowl first, which proved to be effective when Jordan Dalziel took two wickets inside the first five overs.

Things didn’t improve as wickets kept tumbling around Kate Carlile (12), who was the only Echuca player to crack double digits and was the final scalp of the innings.

Dalziel led Moama’s bowling attack, taking 3-12, while Mia Arthurson and Sadie Laffy both took a pair of wickets each as the Mowers rolled Echuca for 63 in 24 overs.

Jessica Cox charges in. Photo by Matthew Kappos

Echuca was able to snare only two wickets in the second innings, with Arthurson being bowled by Sophie Good for 18 and Dalziel departing for a duck.

Moama captain Delaney Laffy steered her side home with an unbeaten 27 at the top of the order, while Isla Laffy hung around at the end, finishing on six not out.

The Mowers reached the required total in 13 overs and won the day by eight wickets.

Echuca players celebrate removing Jordan Dalziel. Photo by Matthew Kappos

Rochester v Cooma

Rochester leads the competition heading into round 10 with an almost-perfect 6-1 record after defeating Cooma by 44 runs.

Rochester won the toss and elected to bat on its home turf of Windridge Oval, yet, it was tough going as only opener Hayley Broucek (11) and number seven Sarah Taylor (20 not out) managed to crack double digits.

Evie Dalton seemingly couldn’t be stopped with the ball for Cooma, snaring 5-22 as Rochester were bowled out for 91 at the beginning of the 27th over.

Isla Laffy doesn't connect with her offside flourish. Photo by Matthew Kappos

In the second innings, Rochester dominated with the ball and in the field, as Jinaya Nurse (14) was Cooma’s only batter to record a score of consequence.

After putting in a good effort with the bat, Broucek led Rochester’s attack with the ball, taking 5-3 as Harriet East assisted with 2-6.

Rochester ended up bowling out Cooma for 47 in 13 overs to record a strong win and a clear statement heading into the Christmas and new year break.

Kate Carlie shapes for a shot at the stumps. Photo by Matthew Kappos

Bamawm-Lockington United v Nathalia

The Lions also got on the board in round nine, solidifying their top-four spot with a victory over Nathalia.

Travelling to Nathalia Showgrounds, BLU won the toss and elected to bowl first, which proved to be a master-stroke, as the host was bowled out cheaply.

Jessica Daniel was the anchor of the Nathalia innings, carrying her bat with an unbeaten 16 off 40.

Sophie Good took Echuca's first wicket. Photo by Matthew Kappos

Daniel had very little assistance from the rest of her team, as BLU’s Emma Beal wreaked havoc on Nathalia, taking 5-11 as both Amy Fitzgerald and Ruby Brentnall took a pair each.

With 71 the target for victory, the Lions got the job done in emphatic fashion, running it down inside 23 overs.

After a slow start, BLU’s middle order fired as Bree Styles (13), Ruby Brentnall (16) and Emma Beal (10) made major contributions before Daneika Hucker (9 not out) brought it home.