Kyabram Fire Brigade suffered a five-wicket loss to Bamawm-Lockington United in Goulburn Murray Cricket’s fifth round on Saturday to slip out of the top four.
The Flames mustered a respectable 174 off 44.4 overs, but the home side led by Zimbabwean international Regis Chakabva covered this score in 38.1 overs.
Chakabva blasted 85 off 73 deliveries with six sixes and three boundaries in a dominant, match-winning knock.
Liam Hamilton with 29 and Luke Thompson with an unbeaten 23 gave him the support needed to achieve the win.
Skipper Rob Salter was again the pick of the Brigade bowlers, conceding 15 runs off nine overs and claiming one wicket.
Earlier The Flames’ master batter Paul Newman made 56 off 57 balls with six fours and one six to help his side post a respectable 174 after the visitors had won the toss and elected to bat.
Newman got the most support from Kaine Herbert (29) and skipper Rob Salter with 23.
Young talent Cohen Hooper with a determined unbeaten 17 and Shannon Fleming with 12 were the other Flames batters to reach double figures.
Opening bowler Simon Van Duinan with 3-31 off nine overs and Josh Cairns with 3-19 off 4.4 overs were LBU’s most successful bowlers.
The Flames face reigning premier Echuca at the Northern Oval in a two-day game starting this Saturday.
· Tongala found Echuca South’s 8-236 was beyond its capabilities of chasing down, but posted a respectable 8-174 in reply.
Adam Nunn with a top score of 49, Matt Ohlsen with an unbeaten 35 and Keagan Miller with 28 provided the bulk of the Tongala runs.
Rathika Rajakumara with 64 off 89 deliveries top scored for the home side which won the toss and elected to bat.
He got most support from opener Jayden Rosin who thumped 47 with eight fours off 38 balls, Tristan Watson with 41 with six boundaries and Nic McKenzie (20).
Then Nic McKenner (20) and Tom Morphett with an unbeaten 13 gave the South total a late boost.
Darin Ohlsen with 2-27 off nine overs was Tongala’s most economical bowler, while Alex Williams with 2-38 off 7.3 overs was the only other multiple wicket-taker.
Tongala hosts Leitchville-Gunbower in a two-day game starting this Saturday.
· Rochester claimed victory over Leitchville-Gunbower by one wicket with four overs to spare in a thrilling finish to their clash at Gunbower.
Rochester’s last two batters Sam Byrnes and Miles Wade picked off the seven runs needed to give their side victory in a tense finish.
LG openers Tyler Jones (35) and Billy Hawken (32) gave their side a solid start, but apart from Liam Keath with 39 lacked support and left their bowlers to defend a gettable 170 to win the game.
Rochester openers Brandon Byrd (20) and Sean Williams (35) got their side off to a solid start with a stand of 36 and handy knocks from Jake Wright (31), Dylan Cuttriss (24) and Jesse Cuttriss (19) took their side to the brink of victory.
· Reigning premier Echuca had its most convincing win for the season in downing Moama.
Winning the toss and electing to bat Echuca posted a competitive 6-214 with openers Brendan Moyle (40) and Curtis Townrow (34) setting the mood early.
Then James Grixti chimed in with a top score of 55 and then Kobyn James with 37 and Aidan Young (34) kept the runs coming.
In reply Moama lost both openers without scoring and never recovered to be bowled out in 30.2 overs for 90.