Echuca wrapped up 2022 with a big win over Echuca South on Saturday, climbing into second place on the McMahon Shield ladder in the process.
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Echuca’s first-innings total of 6-250 proved a bridge too far for South to track down, all-out for 73 in reply to hand Echuca a 177-run victory.
Matt Hinks’ strong season with the bat continued, backing up his 99 runs against Kyabram with a score of 85 against the Swans.
Hinks now has 288 runs to his name this season at a whopping average of 96, but he wasn’t the only Echuca batter to fire against South.
Opener Brendan Moyle broke through for his first half-century this season, compiling 52 runs, and together with Archer Carlile, helped Echuca put on 45 for the first wicket.
Swans skipper Ben Eade found the first breakthrough for South, bowling Carlile for 11.
Hinks combined with Moyle for a 59-run partnership before Joel Stephens removed Moyle, but Kobyn James marked his return to Echuca with 39 runs to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Cameron Hay denied Hinks a potential century with a caught-and-bowled dismissal before a whirlwind 44 off 25 deliveries from Aiden Young pushed Echuca past the 200 mark.
Jayden Rosin was the pick of South’s bowlers with 3-32 to continue a strong season with ball in hand.
South’s run chase was hampered by the early loss of Clayton Watson and Grady Smith, both falling to the left-arm pace duo of Rylea Jones and Ben Holt.
Cameron Hay and Rosin crafted a promising 23-run partnership to navigate to 2-41 until Hinks snuck a delivery through Hay’s defence to remove him for 10.
Aiden Young struck next for Echuca, bowling Rosin for 22 with wickets tumbling consistently.
Rory Carlile and Jones picked up a string of wickets late in the innings to effectively wrap up the game as Jones ended with game-best figures of 4-26.
The game
Echuca 6-250 def Echuca South 73
Riv’s vote: Matt Hinks has been in good touch with bat in hand during the 2022-23 season, and his 85-run innings against Echuca South — and a wicket to boot — should see him earn man of the match honours.