Asantha Singappuli almost single-handedly pulled Echuca South over the line in its big run chase against Kyabram Fire Brigade at the weekend.
But the Flames held their nerve in a tense finish to the two-day clash at Northern Oval, with the Swans falling just 21 runs short of Kyabram’s first-innings total of 321.
The admirable effort was built on the back of Singappuli’s mind-boggling 183 runs, flaying 18 fours and half-a-dozen sixes en route to the second-highest score of the McMahon Shield season.
However, outside of opener Jayden Rosin’s 41, the Swans were hard-pressed for contributors, and the experience of Flames bowler Rob Salter was on show with 4-68 off his 22 overs.
That included the prized scalp of Singappuli and, with help from Jack Donnell (2-61), Kyabram prevented South from snatching an unlikely win, with the Swans bundled out for 300 in the 76th over.
The Flames built their victory on the back of another century to Paul Newman on day one and the result has seen Fire Brigade launch itself into third spot on the ladder.
With one game before the Christmas break, the Flames can consolidate their spot in the top four in their clash against Rochester this week, while the Swans will be hoping to rebound quickly against Tongala.
The Game
Kyabram Fire Brigade 7-321 (Paul Newman 118, Miller Griffiths 82, Simon Van Duinen 5-84) defeated Echuca South 300 (Asantha Singappuli 183, Jayden Rosin 41, Rob Salter 4-68)