Brenden Olivier came in at number 11 and hit two straight boundaries to win Echuca South the game, with Andrew Walker not out at the other end. Photo: Bruce Povey
A Goulburn Murray Cricket game that looked securely in Echuca South’s hands was almost flipped on its head after an almighty Rochester fightback.
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Chasing Rochy’s 154 in round 11 of the McMahon Shield, the Swans were in cruise control at 3-131, the likes of Asantha Singappuli (44), Rathika Rajakumara (39) and Jayden Rosin (29) leading their side to within striking range.
Judd Cuttriss took a catch off Sean Williams' bowling. Photos: Bruce Povey
Rochester would then remove six South batters for 19 runs, leaving the game on a knife’s edge, the Swans requiring five for victory, but with only a single wicket in hand.
Number 11 Brenden Olivier proved the unlikely hero, coming to the crease and immediately belting consecutive fours to save the points for his side after an almighty middle order collapse.
Ben Eade executes a smooth off drive.
Photo by
BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
Brandon Byrne’s 3-18 was Rochester’s best bowling performance, while Sean Williams and Angus Martin took two each.
Earlier, Rochester set the middling target thanks to the same pairing of Williams and Martin.
Brandon Byrne was effective with the ball.
Photo by
BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
Having proved its depth in recent weeks, the Rochester batting line-up mostly failed to fire at Echuca South Recreation Reserve.
Williams entered early, the first wicket falling after only two runs, and showed purpose, going just short of a run-a-ball for his 45.
Asantha Singappuli was strong with bat and ball.
Photo by
BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
The middle order looked to accumulate, but couldn’t convert decent starts into big scores.
Martin did his best to hold down his end, finishing 36 not out from 65 deliveries, running out of partners in the penultimate over.
The South bowling effort was led by AK Gunathilaka, who posted an impressive 4-22, while Asantha Singappuli was a tad expensive, but lethal in his 3-46.
AK Gunathilaka loses his stumps in dramatic fashion.
Photo by
BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
The result solidifies the rift between the top three, Moama, Bamawm-Lockington United and South, and the rest of the league.
The Swans and Lions hold a two-game edge over Kyabram Fire Brigade and Rochester, while unbeaten Moama streams even further ahead.
Rochy had an unlikely comeback in its sights after Jesse Cuttriss removed Thomas Morphett, putting South nine down.
Photo by
BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
Rochester could have closed that gap and overtaken Fire Brigade for the fourth finals place heading into Christmas, as the Flames sat out with the bye, but Rochy will have to settle for fifth for a few more weeks.
The Swans return to action on January 10, taking on Leitchville-Gunbower at Gunbower, while Rochester needs to pick up points against lower-ranked Tongala when it visits the Blues after the resumption.
The Game
Rochester 154 (Sean Williams 45, Angus Martin 36 not out, AK Gunathilaka 4-22, Asantha Singappuli 3-46) lt Echuca South 9-158 (Asantha Singappuli 44, Rathika Rajakumara 39, Brandon Byrne 3-18)
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