Moama will head into the new year unblemished after besting defending champion and cross-border rival Echuca and holds a 10-0 record in Goulburn Murray Cricket’s 2025-26 McMahon Shield.

Hosting Moama at its surrogate home ground of Moon Oval, Echuca won the toss and elected to put runs on the board early.

Echuca openers Brendan Moyle and Archer Carlile couldn’t build much of a platform before Rhys Drennan got the former to nick behind to Kobyn James for eight in the third over.

Fellow opener Carlile was following suit a few overs later after being beaten all ends up by Clay McGregor for two.

Aidan Young was on his way the next over, facing a peach of a delivery from Anthony McMahon to be dismissed for four.

Anthony Dennis and Charlie Hinks managed to knuckle down and bat time, giving the host some breathing room.

The pair guided its side past the 30th over before McMahon struck again, castling Dennis for a hard-fought 18 off 67 deliveries.

Hinks almost saw out the 50 overs, but was brought undone due to a mix-up between the wickets, being run out by McGregor for a gutsy 47 off 116 deliveries.

It was exceptional theatre in the final three balls of the innings as McMahon snared an unbelievable hat-trick, dismissing Easton Carlile (16), Simon Maddox (0) and Ryan Caldwell (0) in successive balls to bowl the hosts out for 118.

With a scant target to chase down, Moama started off strongly, with openers Fraser Buchanan and Russell Stockdale seeing out the first 10 overs while ticking over the strike.

Buchanan was the first Moama wicket to fall, being cleaned up by Archer Carlile for 17 before Stockdale followed suit, being caught off Maddox’s bowling after a swashbuckling 38 off 36 balls.

Joel Murphy (5) came and went quickly as Maddox picked up his second scalp before Jack Russell and Kobyn James steadied the ship.

Russell (27 not out) batted on when James was sent packing for 16, partnering Archie Teasdale (six not out) down the stretch to chase down the total in less than 24 overs.

Moama is the overwhelming favourite to claim the McMahon Shield at the halfway mark of the season and the Mowers will look to continue their blistering form at the resumption of the competition on January 10 at home against Kyabram Fire Brigade.

Meanwhile, Echuca is on the outside looking in on the top four, currently sitting in sixth position and will come up against a formidable BLU in the new year.

Riverine Herald Google News Panels

Sunday, 22nd February 2026

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