Rochy falters under lights as Echuca regains top spot

Echuca’s openers, Brendan Moyle and Curtis Townrow, set a solid platform for the men in green, batting through the opening overs until the latter was caught for 32 trying to take Sean Williams on.

Moyle (13) followed his partner back to the sheds when he too was caught trying to take Williams to the boundary.

James Grixti (4) wasn’t at the crease long when he was caught by Kuldeep Lal off Angus Martin’s bowling, Echuca now reeling at 3-52.

Enter Kobyn James.

The young number four was glorious against Rochester, playing a balanced game of aggression and patience to bring Echuca back into the contest.

Unfortunately, James had little assistance at the other end, with Aidan Young (9) and Anthony Dennis (0) dismissed in successive overs before the halfway point.

Joint captain Charlie Hinks (16) was the only batter able to hang around with James, toiling through until the 33rd over.

Ben Henson (9) and Kale Edwards (4) contributed a bit to the total, before James and Nathan Elliott (1 not-out) saw out the remaining deliveries.

Kobyn James’ unbeaten 77 powered his side to a total of 9-181, a competitive and, considering the start, surprising total for Rochester to chase.

Playing under lights for the first time at home proved to be not only difficult, but foreign for the Rochester batsmen, as almost all of Rochy’s players struggled in their innings.

Both Sean Williams (2), Kuldeep Lal (4), Brandon Byrne (14) and Vibhor Yadav (0) were all dismissed inside 10 overs, leaving the home side in serious trouble at 4-25.

Adam Ward (6) only lasted a few overs before he too was on his way after being caught by James Grixti off Aidan Young’s bowling.

Dylan Cuttriss and captain Angus Martin were able to produce the most substantial partnership of the innings for Rochester through the middle overs.

The pair put on 48 for the sixth wicket before Martin let Curtis Townrow bowl him through the gate for 23.

Martin’s partner in crime Dylan Cuttriss (27) was also bowled by Townrow shortly after, the Echuca seamer delivering for his side when the game seemed to be getting away from them slightly.

It took just eight overs for Echuca to finish off Rochy, with Jake Wright’s stubborn 16 from 31 balls the only point of resistance in the tail.

The home side was bowled out for 115 from just 30 overs, a demolition that Rochy would not have been expecting, especially considering the team’s recent form.

The side has now only lost to Echuca and Moama this season, and they are the two sides standing between them and the McMahon Shield.