Following Echuca South’s solid bowling effort against Kyabram Fire Brigade on the first day, the Swans needed a little over 100 runs on the second day for victory.
Playing at Echuca South Recreation Reserve, the visitors won the toss and elected to bat.
Openers Brett Andison and Miller Griffiths looked to build a strong foundation for the Flames, but the latter was caught behind off A.K. Gunathilaka’s bowling in the fourth over for 12.
First drop Bohden Learmonth survived just two balls before he was caught by Jayden Rosin off Asantha Singappuli’s bowling for a duck.
Andison and new batsman Shannon Fleming developed a nice partnership for the fourth wicket but were foiled before they could take off, with Singappuli striking again to remove Fleming for 19.
Flames captain Robert Salter came to the crease at number five. He was able to develop some consistency with Andison, who was looking in good touch.
The pair batted for more than 10 overs together before Salter was trapped lbw for 27 by Singappuli, whose bowling was causing the Fire Brigade all sorts of trouble.
It took only an over before the Swans struck again, this time through Gunathilaka, who bowled Lachlan Carver for a duck.
Brenton Sheppard (6), Wil Harrison (0) and Jackson Barnett (1) were all dismissed in the same fashion, caught behind by Grady Smith off Tristan Watson’s bowling.
Andison survived a staggering 47 overs while his side struggled around him, but following a lapse in concentration was clean bowled by Ben Eade for 85.
Following the dismissal of Andison, the Swans only needed one more wicket to bowl out Kyabram Fire Brigade, and they found it in the 53rd over when Tom Owen was caught by Ben Eade off Rosin’s bowling.
The Flames were all out for 169 and needed to strike early if they had any chance of stopping the Swans’ chase down.
With a solid number of overs remaining in the day, Echuca South looked to break the back of the Flames’ total and set itself up for victory.
Openers Kaydn Blachford and Clayton Watson were able to bat through the first 10 overs without being dismissed, avoiding an early setback.
Yet, it wasn’t long after that Robert Salter drew first blood for the Fire Brigade, with Watson caught by Shannon Fleming for 30.
Just an over later, Blachford was caught by Riley Carver off Jackson Barnett’s bowling for nine.
The next two batsmen, Nicholas McKenner and Thomas Morphett, couldn’t get much of anything going, both departing before the 20th over for a duck and one, respectively.
The Swans ended the day on 4-62 from 24 overs, with Asantha Singappuli (21) and Tristan Watson (1) to resume at the crease on day two. Just 108 is needed for victory.
The Game
Kyabram Fire Brigade 169 (Brett Andison 85, Tristan Watson 3-35, Asantha Singappuli 3-57) in the first innings before Echuca South 4-62 (Clayton Watson 30, Asantha Singappuli 21 not out, Jackson Barnett 2-27) in the second innings