The McMahon Shield rolls into round six this weekend with several enticing fixtures on the way on Saturday.
Undefeated competition leaders, Rochester, will take on 2023-24 grand finalists Moama in one of the highlight fixtures of the round, at Moama Recreation Reserve.
Moama haven’t been in the same type of form that saw them win 11-straight to kick off last campaign but should still provide a stiff challenge to a thus-far clinical Rochy side.
Rochester’s top scorer from last season Sean Williams is leading from the front once again, averaging 43.33 so far, while Adam Ward has 10 wickets so far this season.
Balanced scoring was Moama’s signature last season and that trend has continued into this campaign, but the Mowers are looking for a breakout performance, no batsman averaging more than Matt Saunders’ 21.67 so far.
It’s a similar situation with the ball, Saunders and Russell Stockdale’s seven wickets the most by a Moama player after four games played.
Lurking near the leaders is defending champion Echuca, having rebounded from an opening-day defeat with four straight victories.
Standing in its way is the always dangerous Kyabram Fire Brigade, looking to arrest a two-game losing slide at Northern Oval in Kyabram.
Paul Newman (126 runs at 63.00) continues to hold together the top order for the Flames while Robert Salter and Tom Owen both have seven wickets to lead the way with the ball.
Echuca already boasts four batsmen, Brendan Moyle, James Grixti, Kobyn James and Curtis Townrow, with over 100 runs, demonstrating the depth that has led them to three straight titles.
Scottish import Nathan Elliott has adjusted well to his new side, taking 12 wickets in his five games, while Charlie Hinks also has 12 for Echuca.
Bamawm-Lockington United has a chance to improve to 3-2 as it takes on winless Nondies-Cohuna at Cohuna Recreation Reserve.
Less than two years removed from a grand final appearance, Nondies has struggled with both bat and ball, its opponents’ run rate a particular concern.
In two of its three one-day matches this season, N-C has allowed the opposition to score at five an over or better, while Leitchville-Gunbower moved at a relatively brisk 3.6 an over against Nondies in its two-day innings.
BLU has experienced mixed results this season, defeating champion Echuca in the opening round before going down to fellow 2023-24 semi-finalists Echuca South and Moama.
Current Turner Medallist Regis Chakabva has three half-centuries for a mammoth total of 208 runs in four innings already this year.
The final match of the round sees surprising new contender Leitchville-Gunbower look to continue its strong early season form away to Tongala.
L-G took Rochester to the limit last week and has wins over Echuca South and Nondies-Cohuna under its belt so far, with Tyler Jones’ century in round three the highlight.
Tongala came within three runs of a famous win over Echuca in its two-day fixture but has otherwise suffered similar woes to last year.
The Blues’ bowlers have taken wickets at a reasonable rate but have been unable to contain the opposing run rate, while Tonny’s batters have often left their side short of a defendable total.
Echuca South has the bye this week.
All matches are scheduled to begin at noon on Saturday.
Also this week, Goulburn Murray Cricket kicks off its T20 competition tonight, Echuca South taking on Moama, BLU facing Nondies-Cohuna and Rochester battling Tongala.
Find a full report on the T20 fixtures, along with the regular McMahon Shield results, in Monday’s Riverine Herald.