It took impressive late efforts in both innings for Rochester to get by Tongala in round 12 of the Goulburn Murray Cricket McMahon Shield.
With Moama as rival for the top two and Bamawm-Lockington United breathing down its neck, Rochester needed to secure points against one of the league’s lower sides in Tonny.
At Tongala Recreation Reserve, Rochester found its batting innings in strife after the middle order failed to fire.
There were several solid performances in the innings, openers Brandon Byrne (15) and Sean Williams (37) starting things well with a 40-run stand at the top.
Entering at five, Adam Ward also put in a composed performance, adding 33, but many of the other Rochy batters weren’t able to follow suit.
The side found itself seven down for 108 and at risk of being put away cheaply before Jake Wright came to the crease.
Coming in at number nine, Wright batted in a manner befitting someone far higher in the order, quickly going on the attack.
He was later joined by Jesse Cuttriss and the duo put on 56 for the ninth wicket, moving Rochy from a below par total to the brink of 200.
Although his efforts were deserving, Wright (49) was denied a half-century, while Cuttriss finished unbeaten on 26, Rochy recovering brilliantly to post 9-199.
Adam Nunn (4-16) and Alex Williams (3-62) were strong with the ball, but Tonny would have been disappointed it wasn’t able to capitalise on the strong position it built.
The Tongala chase was a similar situation with the Blues looking on top early, before Rochy surged late.
Tonny’s top three each made a solid contribution to the cause, Alex Williams (33), Stephen Townsend (22) and Darin Ohlsen (24) doing their part in an impressive 3-90 start.
With plenty of wickets in the sheds, the Blues would have been hopeful of going on with the job, but the middle order wasn’t able to replicate the top order’s success.
Batting eight, Matt Ohlsen (24 not out) was the only other double-figure scorer for Tongala, the last three batters departing without score as the Blues crumbled to be all-out for 133.
Byrne (4-13) and Ward (2-34) were the principal contributors with the ball for Rochy.
Rochester faces an important two-day contest with Moama in the next fortnight, the winner likely to finish the season in second place.
Tongala has an away fixture against Leitchville-Gunbower next round.
The Game
Rochester 9-199 (Jake Wright 49, Sean Williams 37, Adam Nunn 4-16) d Tongala 133 (Alex Williams 33, Brandon Byrne 4-13)