Moama gets on the board at BLU’s expense

By Matthew Kappos

Oct 13, 2024

Routinely a maestro with the ball, Michael Hill (pictured in last year’s grand final) top-scored with 64 to guide Moama to a comfortable victory over BLU. Photo: Aidan Briggs Photo by Aidan Briggs

Moama has rebounded from a less-than-ideal week one to post its first win of the McMahon Shield season.

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Last week not only saw the Mowers go down to Echuca South in their opening contest of Goulbun Murray Cricket, but also the loss of captain Joel Murphy, who is expected to be a long-term absentee after retiring with a leg injury during his maiden innings of the season.

Murphy contributed 411 runs last campaign.

This week Moama travelled to Bamawm Recreation Reserve to take on Bamawm-Lockington United who was riding high after defeating three-time defending champion Echuca in its opening contest.

However, it was Moama who looked dominant on this occasion, cruising to victory by eight wickets.

The Lions won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to post a strong total their bowlers could defend, but that wasn’t how things played out in the early going.

Reigning under-21 male player of the year Declan Pearse was the first to fall, nicking behind for just two off the bowling of Rhys Drennan.

That brought 2023-24 Turner medallist Regis Chakabva to the crease for the Lions but BLU’s star man wasn’t able to capitalise on this occasion, departing after six deliveries for just four runs.

The procession continued to Moama’s delight as Joe Moss (9), remaining opener Liam Hamilton (11), and Luke Thompson (5) were also back in the sheds in short order, BLU reeling at 5-35.

Josh Cairns joined Thomas Dicker at the crease and the pair made a go at salvaging the Lions innings, adding 25 runs before Cairns saw his wicket disturbed by the bowling of Matt Saunders.

The BLU lower order provided some resistance as the final four batsmen each surpassed five but the Lions were left with a paltry 96 all out to defend after just 35.3 of their allotted 45 overs.

Cairns (18) was the high scorer in a disappointing outing for BLU, while Saunders (4-11) did most of the damage for Moama, supported by Mitchell Stephens (2-13) and Drennan (2-29)

Moama wasted no time in hunting down the Lions total, openers Michael Hill and Russell Stockdale rushing to 51 without loss.

Stockdale was snared off the bowling of Luke Thompson but a watchful Fraser Buchanan joined Hill and looked on as his partner surpassed 50.

Hill eventually fell for 64 from 51 balls but by that time Buchanan and his captain Anthony McMahon required just four runs for victory.

A McMahon boundary wrapped things up for Moama, who ran down BLU in just 17.1 overs, finishing at 2-99.

Moama will be at home next Saturday to Tongala, who benefited from this week’s bye, while BLU will have a week off to lick its wounds.