A Sean Williams wonder knock for Rochester tames Lions in Goulburn Murray Cricket

BLU won the toss and elected to bowl first, the visitor wanting to give itself a reasonable target to chase in the heat.

At first, this decision looked like the right one for BLU as it was able to snare the wicket of opener Kuldeep Lal in the ninth over, courtesy of a run-out by Jeremy Felmingham and Regis Chakabva.

However, fellow opener Williams was the more imminent danger as Rochester’s 2023-24 leading wicket-taker and run-scorer was looking in fine touch early.

The opener was joined at the crease by Oliver Williams, with the young gun looking solid to start as he helped guide his team past the 50-run mark.

The Lions’ second breakthrough wouldn’t come until the end of the 18th over, when Oliver Williams was caught behind by Chakabva after nicking off for 11.

Sean Williams raised the bat for 50, looking to be the solid piece Rochy needed to anchor its innings.

Vibhor Yadav was next at the crease and the number four was able to partner well and turn over the strike while the flowing opener faced most of the strike.

The pair drove its side to the precipice of 150 when Yadav, in a brief lapse in concentration, was beaten all ends up by Luke Thompson for 34.

Jake Wright wasn’t going to die wondering, peeling off a quick-fire 17 from nine deliveries which included two fours and a six, before he too was bowled, this time by Thomas Dicker.

Williams was able to build a significant partnership with Dylan Cuttriss.

During their time out in the middle Williams raised the bat for a glorious century, the milestone coming off a BLU overthrow.

The pair also put on 60 for the fifth wicket and saw the Tigers past 200 when Williams was ultimately dismissed by Noah Turner, concluding a season-defining knock of 137 from 128, which included 11 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of a tick more than 107.

Williams fell three overs short of carrying his bat through the innings, yet his side was going to do everything it could to capitalise on the stellar score he had got it, blasting a tremendous 40 runs in the final three overs, burying the Lions.

Cuttriss (21) and Adam Ward (29) played brief but vital hands, in which they were able to get Rochy to 7-270 after 45 overs.

A tally of 270 would prove a significant run-chase for anyone, but it seems to be a reoccurring theme for BLU, which consistently finds itself needing to do the impossible to secure victory.

Kade Pearse (14) and Chakabva (72) set a nice platform of 56 before the former was caught lbw by Sean Williams, who seemed to have the Midas touch.

Liam Hamilton (16) provided nice support for Chakabva who had settled into his routine of prolific run-scoring.

Hamilton was dismissed just before his side reached 100, with Turner (37) coming in to provide the second-highest score for the Lions.

After raising the bat for the seventh time this season, Chakabva had to depart the middle, being caught by Sean Williams off Jesse Cuttriss.

Luke Thompson made 10 from 14 before he too was caught by Sean Williams, with Cameron Laird (17) and Jake Toll (19) putting in valiant efforts in a failing chase.

Ultimately, after its innings, BLU was 9-216, with Alex Wagner (9 not-out) and Felmingham (10) the last lines of defence.

Unfortunately for the Lions, it is the same old story; they have the capacity to score many runs, but cannot back up that performance with the ball, giving their opponents too many opportunities to score.

Meanwhile, the arrival of Sean Williams’ form means Rochy has bolstered its depth ahead of a competitive run home, in the hope of securing a top-two position by season’s end.

Elsewhere, ladder leader Moama shot to a 79-run win over Leitchville-Gunbower, while Tongala scored its second victory of the season after successfully defending its total of 5-222 against Nondies Cohuna.

Lastly, Echuca South’s might was too much for Kyabram Fire Brigade, winning by 38 runs thanks to a Tristan Watson five-for.