Echuca obliterates Moama in grand final rematch

By Matthew Kappos

Nov 10, 2024

Kale Edwards grabbed 2-19 in a balanced bowling effort from Echuca. Photo by Aidan Briggs

It was a far cry from the two-day thriller that capped off last season when Moama played host to Echuca at the weekend in the McMahon Shield.

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On that day Echuca held on for a famous 12-run victory, but on Saturday the margin was more than 10 times that, the champion putting their cross-river rivals to the sword by 124 runs.

Echuca’s dominance was established early in the contest.

After winning the toss, openers Brendan Moyle and Curtis Townrow quickly set about building a strong total.

Both men got the ball to the boundary in their first few balls and continued to build as the innings progressed.

The pair put on 58 for the first wicket before Townrow (34) was dismissed, but Echuca had plenty of batting back in the sheds.

James Grixti was next in, and he too proved hard to shift, working with Moyle (40) to progress the total to 83.

It seemed that every batsman who came in for Echuca was making a respectable score, as Grixti (55) was eventually joined by Kobyn James (37), and then Aidan Young (34) who joined the list of 30-plus scorers for the innings.

After a marathon 104-ball stay, half-centurion Grixti found himself the final man dismissed with the penultimate ball of the innings, and Echuca had put up a strong target of 6-214.

The joy with the ball for Moama came to Michael Hill (2-43) and Russell Stockdale (2-38), while Mitchell Stephens and Matt Saunders (both 1-51) also snagged wickets.

Moama struggled to build partnerships in reply.

The loss of both openers for ducks had the Mowers on the back foot from the outset, and the middle order didn’t fare much better, the next four each making it to double figures before falling shortly afterwards.

In huge trouble at 7-49, Simon Porter steadied things somewhat for the host, making a brisk 26 from as many balls, but Moama was ultimately dismissed for just 90 in 30.2 overs.

Scottish import Nathan Elliott has found his wicket-taking form in the last two weeks, adding to his four last week with 3-27 to lead Echuca’s attack.

Kale Edwards (2-19), Charlie Hinks (2-3) and captain Simon Maddox (2-11) each provided effective support in a balanced bowling effort.

Echuca now lurks behind Rochester in second place on the table with a 4-1 record.

At 2-2, Moama is in a four-way tie for fourth spot.

Next weekend will see the Mowers host league-leading Rochy at Moama Recreation Reserve, while Echuca will be away to Kyabram Fire Brigade.

The GMC is also kicking off its Twenty20 competition in midweek, Moama drawn against Echuca South at Echuca South Recreation Reserve, while Echuca has a bye first up.