Rochy continues perfect start with L-G rout

L-G won the toss and elected to bat first and put runs on the board early, with its opening partnership forming a solid stand of 62.

Billy Hawken was first to depart for L-G, being caught by Samuel Byrnes off Adam Ward’s bowling for 23.

Often when one wicket falls, another follows; and fellow opener Tyler Jones was run out for 35 by in-field dynamo Myles Wade an over after Hawken’s departure.

It was a horror day for L-G in between the wickets as first drop Jed Brereton was also run out, this time by Jesse Cuttriss, for 12 runs.

L-G was now 3-77 after losing wickets in quick succession and needed to regain composure if it wished to pose a threat to Rochester.

Luckily, L-G captain Josh O’Shea and Liam Keath were able to build a steady partnership, with the former turning over the strike and soaking up deliveries while the latter played aggressively.

Yet, O’Shea’s knock would end on five runs after facing 57 deliveries, but his support of Keath meant L-G was still in the game.

Keath powered on and eyed a half-century before he was caught by the safe hands of Sean Williams for 39.

Keath’s departure was a key turning point in the innings with wickets tumbling in quick succession after the fact.

Jesse Cuttriss claimed the wicket of Simon Tatt in the 42nd over for five runs and would foreshadow a devastating 43rd over for L-G.

Ward went on a rampage in that over, claiming the scalp of Josh Hawken on the second ball and bowling Marcus Stubbs and Blake Gibson with the last two deliveries.

Ward returned in the 45th over to deliver the nail in the coffin for L-G, bowling James Keath to bring an end to the innings with two balls to spare.

Chasing 170, Rochester licked its lips at the prospect of a reasonably comfortable victory.

However, it would be in for a little more than it bargained for.

After a solid start, opener Brandon Byrne was trapped in front by Stubbs in the ninth over to be removed for 20.

Sean Williams and Jake Wright were able to combine for a solid 44-run third-wicket stand before Wright was caught by Stubbs off Tatt’s bowling for 31.

Matthew Harrington survived three deliveries before he was caught by Josh Hawken the following over, departing for one.

All of a sudden the Tigers had found themselves in a spot of bother at 3-85, only halfway to the target.

Luckily time was on their side as they hadn't yet reached the middle of the innings.

Ward and Williams were able to navigate their side for a few overs before the giant slayer, Tatt, emerged as L-G’s hero once again, claiming the scalp of Ward for 12.

Tigers stalwart Williams was able to anchor the first half of the innings, but was ultimately undone lbw on the eve of drinks a ball after Ward for 35.

Captain Angus Martin and Jesse Cuttriss chewed up eight overs to stabilise Rochy before Martin was caught off James Keath to undo the partnership.

With both Cuttriss brothers at the crease, Jesse and Dylan were able to rotate the strike effectively and slowly take the game away from L-G.

The pair’s hard work was undone when Jesse was caught by Blake Gibson for 19 with brother Dylan following him back to the sheds for 24 shortly after.

With only a handful of runs left to get and a pair of wickets in hand, Rochester would’ve felt confident it could get over the line, but when Oliver Williams was dismissed without score it was on the final partnership to win the game.

Despite taking three overs to get six runs, Samuel Byrnes and Wade dragged their side to victory in the 41st over, completing the great escape and continuing their perfect start.

Meanwhile, Echuca had no trouble registering its own fourth win of the campaign after dismantling Moama to the tune of 124 runs in a grand final rematch.

Echuca South was able to break away into outright third place with win three after handily overcoming Tongala by 61 runs, while Bamawm-Lockington United squared its ledger at 2-2 after playing out a five-wicket victory over Kyabram Fire Brigade.