Echuca has recorded a crushing defeat of Nondies-Cohuna in the 2022-23 McMahon Shield grand final rematch, sailing to a 158-run win at Victoria Park.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, the home side suffered a disastrous start with the dangerous Curtis Townrow removed by Xavier Wishart (1-35) for a golden duck.
Matthew Hinks (19) and Brendan Moyle (28) were able to muster a 54-run stand for the second wicket, however Nondies-Cohuna struck twice in quick succession to have Echuca in a precarious position at 3-62.
Handy contributions from Kobyn James (23) and Aidan Young (37) were enough to carry Echuca to 5-128 by the time they were both dismissed, which brought Ewan Davidson (28) and the returning Charlie Hinks to the crease.
With a big score needing to be made, it was Hinks that stood up, smacking 74 not out from 54 deliveries, finding the boundary on 12 occasions in a supreme display of middle-order batting.
The cameo from Hinks helped his side build a formidable total of 7-261, although having not been given the chance to bat in last season’s decider, a determined effort was expected from Nondies-Cohuna with willow in hand.
But the reigning premier never allowed the visitors to flourish, suffocating the chase from the jump with plenty of early wickets.
Nondies-Cohuna vice-captain Zeb Ellwood was sent packing by Rylea Jones (2-18) for a golden duck, with Jones also dismissing Archie Sussex for two shortly after.
Josh Novoselek (2) was dismissed by Matthew Hinks (2-13) without advancing the score, and when Hinks claimed the scalp of Angus Donat (5), the visitors were in all sorts of trouble at 4-24.
Karim Marcelle (27) and Patrick Doyle (6) dug in and stemmed the bleeding as best they could, occupying time at the crease, however Echuca again produced wickets in quick succession through yet another weapon in Summit Kingar.
Kingar (2-22), fresh from a five-wicket haul last week, removed Doyle to reduce Nondies-Cohuna to 5-53, before sending the determined Marcelle packing to further disturb the visitors’ efforts as they slumped to 6-56.
Rhys Bradley (22) and Broden Wishart (15) made quick runs, however Hinks ran through the tail, taking 3-21 as Echuca wrapped up a comprehensive victory.
The reigning premier will face Cooma in the first of the two-day matches starting next week, while Nondies-Cohuna will host a white-hot Moama outfit.
The Game
Echuca 7-261 (Charlie Hinks 74 not out, Aidan Young 37, Kyeran Ellery 2-43) d Nondies-Cohuna 103 (Karim Marcelle 27, Rhys Bradley 22, Charlie Hinks 3-21)