Tongala was the only team in round one to win the toss and elect to bat. Opener Hudson Kellett didn’t last long, notching a single run before being cleaned up by a Jackson Barnett thunder bolt.
Captain Alex Williams and first drop Keegan Miller put on a 40-run stand for the second wicket but Williams was ultimately dismissed by a Cohan Hooper catch off Wil Harrison’s bowling for 33.
Fresh batsman Zeke Neumann wasn’t out there for very long as he was claimed lbw by Kaine Herbert for a duck.
Miller and Luke Smith were able to stem the flow of wickets and build a 30-run partnership, but before they could develop something more substantial, Miller was clean bowled by Flames’ captain Robert Salter for 22.
Smith followed Miller’s lead and departed in the next over, falling to some neat glove work by Tim Nelson off Brenton Sheppard.
Number six Travis Johnstone didn’t contribute anything to the scoresheet, being trapped in front for a duck.
Braith Northausen and Ryan Smith managed to drag Tongala to the 100 milestone but were ultimately dismissed for eight and four, respectively.
Tongala tail enders Mitchell Cornwell and Jessie Johnstone made minimal efforts to their side’s cause, notching zero and five before walking back to the sheds.
Only Lachlan Caldwell looked any hope of scoring anything substantial for Tongala but was left stranded on seven, bringing his team’s innings to a close in the 43rd over at 109.
With just 110 needed for victory, Kyabram Fire Birgade wanted to put the game to bed quickly and start its season off on the right foot.
Unfortunately, Tongala struck quickly, sending Tim Nelson back to the sheds for a duck courtesy of a Lachlan Caldwell lbw.
First drop Paul Newman would prove imperative for the Fire Brigade, as his presence at the crease gave his side an anchor through their innings.
Opener Miller Griffiths was sent packing for four after some terrific work in the field by Lachlan Caldwell of Alex Williams’s bowling.
Kaine Herbert could only manage the same amount before also falling victim to Williams, this time with Luke Smith taking the catch.
The situation looked dire for the Fire Brigade at 3/18, but Bohden Learmonth was able to hang around for long enough to let Newman build his innings.
Learmonth was dismissed for 10, edging one behind to Ryan Smith off Jessie Johnstone’s bowling.
Cohan Hooper also played his role well, providing support to Newman who was rolling, sticking around to notch 13.
Newman’s unbeaten 53 was enough to get the Flames over the line, but Tongala’s sloppiness in the field cost it 25 extras and ultimately the game in just 20 overs.
Kyabram Fire Brigade will face a tougher opponent next week in Nondies Cohuna while Tongala will get a chance to regroup, having the bye in round two.
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