Echuca cricketers put in a strong performance against Rochester to lift Goulburn Murray Cricket’s John McMahon Shield for the fourth time in as many years.
In what seemed as a relatively even contest at the end of day one, Echuca’s bowlers managed to remain calm and clinical as they dismantled Rochester’s lower order on day two.
Before the match started on Saturday, March 8, players acknowledged the efforts of Ben Welch who took part in the 444 run last week — with players and umpires donning blue armbands.
Echuca won the toss and elected to bat first and the story of the innings was the consistency of the now four-time champion’s top order.
The first six batters made starts, 17 from the previous week’s centurion Aidan Young the lowest among them, while three made half-centuries.
Best-on-ground recipient James Grixti topped the scoring list, grinding out 77 from 160 deliveries in an anchoring innings at number three.
Kobyn James added 60 and Anthony Dennis made it two 50s from as many finals innings as he came away with 63 from 73 balls.
Earlier, openers Curtis Townrow and Brendan Moyle carved out a 13-over opening stand, Townrow the first to depart with a rapid 35 from 40, with Moyle the next to fall on 25.
The remaining four batters to pad up added only 13 between them in late cameos as Echuca set an impressive 8-297 overnight total for the Rochester players to mull over.
Adam Ward put in an impressive shift, bowling more than a quarter of the allotted 80 overs (22) and taking an innings best 4-100.
Jesse Cuttriss (2-43) added two wickets, while Angus Martin (1-47) and Dylan Cuttriss (1-29) also made breakthroughs.
Returning on day two, Rochester’s batters had a tall order to chase, requiring nearly 300 to break Echuca’s premiership streak.
Openers Brandon Byrne and Sean Williams looked steady from the outset, but nerves began to show when Byrne (1) slipped taking off for a quick single, resulting in a run out at the non-striker’s end.
Williams continued well with Vibhor Yadav as they quickly put pressure back on Echuca’s bowling attack led by Young (4-32) and Simon Maddox (3-36).
The mercurial opener managed to tally 26 before his name was called thanks to a superb slip catch by Moyle.
Much like Echuca the day before, Rochester’s top order demonstrated its quality, as six of the top seven made starts.
Rochy looked in control until Young was able to sneak one past the bat of Yadav and trap him lbw for 40.
Ward (37) was in a nice groove and fancied his chances, hitting a lofted drive down the ground, but it found its way into the hands of Townrow.
Echuca managed to stave off any threat of a big score in the perfect moments, as Kuldeep Lal (21) and Dylan Cuttriss (34) were nipped in the bud right as they tried to accelerate.
This left a mighty task on the shoulders of captain Martin (17) with the Rochy tail, but he too fell at the hands of quality bowling by Young.
Rochester’s final four batters all failed to reach double figures, with still more than 100 runs required for victory.
Only Jake Wright (8) went close as Oliver Williams (3) and Myles Wade (0) struggled, leaving Jesse Cuttriss (3 not out) stranded.
In a game that looked closer than perhaps the scorecard would indicate, Rochester ran out of batters with 101 left to chase.
Echuca has claimed the champion title once again, slaying the minor premier in an excellent all-round showing when it mattered most.