Adam Ward has been useful with the ball this season for Rochester, taking three wickets at an average of 12 runs. Photo: Bruce Povey
We are only two weeks into McMahon Shield action for 2024-25 but already a new pair of contenders have begun to stake their claims as the teams to beat.
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Two of 2023-24’s also-rans, former fifth- and sixth-placed Rochester and Kyabram Fire Brigade are the two unbeaten sides after two rounds of action, with round three on the horizon on Saturday.
Meanwhile, last year’s final four — Echuca, Moama, Echuca South, and Bamawm-Lockington United — have each started 1-1 in their fledgling campaigns.
Rochy and Fire Brigade have the opportunity to take sole ownership of top spot at the weekend, as the competition leaders clash at Windridge Oval in Rochester.
The Flames’ batsmen have started the year in fine form, with three unbeaten half centuries to Paul Newman, Miller Griffiths and Brett Andison, already notched in two matches.
the 2023-24 leading wicket-taker Robert Salter has also maintained his level through the off-season, taking five wickets at 2.6, while Tom Owen also has five scalps for the season.
Rochester has had contributions from a variety of sources so far, with Brandon Byrne’s 61 in round one, and Myles Wade’s 4-28 in round two stand out performances.
Sean Williams and Angus Martin have also provided useful knocks with the bat, while Cale James, Adam Ward and Jesse Cuttriss have all made inroads with the ball.
Tom Owen will be hoping to improve on his five wickets this season, as Kyabram Fire Brigade faces up to Rochester in an early top-of-the-table clash. Photo: Aidan Briggs
After a shock loss to BLU in round one, champions Echuca rebounded well against Leitchville-Gunbower at the weekend, and now turn its attention to winless Nondies-Cohuna at Victoria Park.
Famous for its squad depth, Echuca already has six players with 40 or more total runs this year, while five different bowlers have picked up wickets.
Nondies struggled last season to find the form that made it 2022-23 grand finalists, finishing at 6-8, and two rounds in, it has not yet dissuaded fears of more of the same this time around.
Its batsmen have set a pair of respectable totals, 160 and 141, in their opening innings but the side’s strike power with ball in hand has been lacking, taking only seven of the 20 wickets on offer so far.
Echuca’s 2023-24 grand final partner Moama has faced a similar trajectory this season, suffering defeat in the opening round before bouncing back strongly in week two.
Moama Recreation Reserve will now play host to Tongala, who has only taken to the pitch once so far this year after a round-two bye.
The Blues posted a moderate total in their season opener against Ky Fire Brigade but struggled to restrict the Flames’ run-scoring as they went down comfortably.
Moama suffered an early season blow in round one, losing captain Joel Murphy for a significant period but picked up an impressive win in round two over BLU.
Matt Saunders’s 4-11 was complemented well in the second innings by 64 from Michael Hill, proving Moama has plenty of weapons to call on when needed.
The final match-up of the round sees Leitchville-Gunbower play host to Echuca South at Gunbower Recreation Reserve.
The Swans started well this season, defeating Moama by five wickets, but fell short of Rochester last weekend.
Ben Eade has been a standout so far, bowling efficiently with the ball. He has taken five wickets at 2.8, while also equalling the innings’ top score of 14 as the last man unbeaten in a tough batting performance in round two.
The Swans will be looking for a return to his devastating best from star all-rounder Asantha Singappuli, who after leading his side in both runs (727) and wickets (33) last season, hasn’t logged a big score or a defining bowling performance in the opening weeks.
L-G, on the other hand, is just one game into its season after a first-round bye.
Despite going down to Echuca, the side will be buoyed by a plethora of meaningful contributors in the fixture, with five batsmen reaching double figures, and three bowlers each taking two scalps.
BLU has the week off after drawing the bye.
All of this week’s McMahon Shield fixtures are scheduled for noon on Saturday, October 19.
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