Inspired Tongala breaks through for maiden win

By Matthew Kappos

Dec 22, 2024

Tongala and Echuca paid respects to Luke and Benny Smith before their round nine match-up, which saw the Blues earn their first win of the season. Photo: Tongala Cricket Club.

In its first fixture since the tragic passing of Luke and Benny Smith, Tongala honoured the brothers with a maiden McMahon Shield victory.

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Both sides gathered in the middle before the game at Victoria Park to pay their respects to the pair, who died in a plane crash in November. Luke was a member of Tongala’s A-grade team and Benny was part of the Moama junior system.

The sombre occasion was followed by an enthralling game of cricket that saw the winless Blues topple the three-time defending champion and competition leader.

After looking like it had Echuca’s number in the sides’ round four, two-day fixture before falling three runs short, Tonny made no such mistake this time out.

Echuca elected to bat first, but the Tonny attack was inspired in the opening overs.

The dangerous Brendan Moyle was gone for just one and Adam Nunn followed up the very next ball, James Grixti unable to keep his stumps intact.

Reeling at 2-5, Archer Carlile (14) and Kobyn James steadied the ship briefly before Carlile too was back in the sheds courtesy of another Nunn gem.

James realised the urgency of the situation and looked to step up his scoring rate, contributing the lion’s share of a 27-run stand with Anthony Dennis.

Dennis (5) and Aidan Young (4) were both removed cheaply, leaving Echuca in plenty of trouble at 5-65.

The resilience of Charlie Hinks (7) allowed James to reach 50 and beyond, marking half-centuries in consecutive rounds.

His stand ended at 67, and aside from Ben Henson (17) at number eight, there wasn’t much to be said for Echuca’s lower order.

Dismissed just short of the allocated 45 overs, the league leader had only 126 runs to show for its efforts.

Nunn’s devastating opening spell earned him best figures of 4-31 for Tonny, while captain Alex Williams was useful in removing the lower order, contributing 3-26.

Although only in search of a modest total, Tongala’s batting fragility had been the story of its season, and the Blues were searching for a defining performance to get them to the win.

It came in the form of captain Williams, who carried his bat from start to finish and dragged his side to a memorable triumph.

Williams (74 not out) made well over half the runs needed, slicing through the Echuca ring field for 11 boundaries and scoring at a brisk strike rate of 83.14.

While their captain did most of the work, Darin Ohlen (11), Stephen Townsend (13), and Matt Ohlsen (10 not out) each added double-figure efforts to facilitate Williams’ heroics.

The innings wasn’t without its challenges. Six wickets fell, including a stretch of 3-0, but in the end Tonny was able to find the 127 runs required in just 31.3 overs.

Young tried to rescue Echuca’s hopes with 3-20, but Tongala wouldn’t be denied on the day.

The win gets Tongala off the foot of the table, although the Blues are still a long way from thinking about a finals appearance.

The Blues could keep the good times rolling after Christmas as they take on winless Nondies-Cohuna on January 11.

Echuca retained the top spot over Christmas after nearest rival Rochester had the bye, but it could be deposed after the break as it has a bye of its own.