Kyabram Fire Brigade has made a winning start to the Goulburn Murray Cricket John McMahon Shield competition with a five-wicket win over Tongala.

Chasing Tongala’s mediocre score of 109 the Flames, under new coach Jon Varcoe, were a shaky 3-18 in reply, but the irrepressible veteran and noted run-making machine Paul Newman stepped up to steer his side to victory.

Newman showed the way with a blistering 53 not out which contained eight fours and a six.

Young batters Cohan Hooper with 13 and Bohden Learmonth with 10 chipped in with valuable runs to help halt the Flames’ early batting woes.

Skipper Alex Williams put up the most resistance of the Tongala batters.

Opening the innings after winning the toss Williams toughed out a gritty 33 with four boundaries before falling to young spinner Wil Harrison.

Keagan Miller with 22 at first drop and Williams had Tongala well placed at 1-51 at one stage, but only Luke Smith with 18 reached double figures after their dismissals.

Opening bowlers, skipper Rob Salter and Tom Owen and Harrison each took two wickets for the Flames.

Salter was particularly economical with his nine overs, with five maidens, costing only four runs.

Owen was also on the spot conceding 17 runs from his nine overs, while promising spinner Harrison’s seven overs cost 27 runs.

The Brigade travels to Cohuna for this Saturday’s clash, while Tongala has the bye.

· Reigning premier Echuca suffered a loss to Bamawm-Lockington United in a thriller.

Echuca posted a score of 156 of which Aidan Young top scored with 44, but BLU hunted this total down with one wicket to spare on the back of a fighting knock of 69 from star bat Regis Chakabva and 38 from opener Liam Hamilton.

· Rochester rounded up Nondies Cohuna’s score 6-160 in 27 overs with openers Branden Byrne (61) and Jake Wright (38) setting up the win with an opening stand of 91.

· Echuca South restricted Moama to 9-130 and reeled in this total in 33.3 overs for the loss of five wickets with star all-rounder Rathika Rajakumara top scoring with 38.

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Saturday, 16th December 2023

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