To maintain an equal number of two-day games for each side over the course of the Goulburn Murray Cricket season, three sides will be sitting out with a bye for the next fortnight.
It just so happens those sides are the league’s current top three, Rochester, Moama, and Kyabram Fire Brigade, giving the rest of the league a chance to build momentum, and potentially take those places for their own before the leaders can react.
In a reworked points system, clubs can score up to 18 points in a two-day fixture.
If the match ends before the second innings is completed, the winner of the first innings will score 12 points, as they would in a regular one-day round.
If either side can force a result over two innings in the given 160 overs then the first innings victory will instead be worth six points, with a further 12 awarded to the outright victor.
In what shapes as the most even game of the round, last season’s two beaten semi-finalists Bamawm-Lockington United and Echuca South are set to clash at Bamawm Recreation Reserve.
Both sides have notched just one win this campaign, BLU getting up on the opening day over Echuca, while South defeated Moama, also in round one.
South will be hoping the time afforded by the two-day format will be the catalyst for a defining batting performance from one of their stars.
While three players have made more than 50 total runs over the opening rounds, no Swans batsman has managed more than 38 in an individual innings.
Coming off the bye, a refreshed BLU will hope for a typical batting masterclass from captain Regis Chakabva, but the former Zimbabwean international will need support of his teammates for the Lions to rack up a big score.
After missing out in round two, BLU’s bowling cadre will be hungry to take wickets.
At Cohuna Recreation Reserve, Nondies-Cohuna will look to kickstart its season against a resurgent Leitchville-Gunbower.
After waiting until round 13 to secure its first win of 2023-24, L-G wasted no time notching its maiden victory this year, getting a big result over Echuca South last time out.
The injection of Tyler Jones and Jye Keath into the line-up proved critical, with Jones saluting the first century of the McMahon Shield season and Keath skittling South to the tune of 5-27.
L-G will hope the pair can continue that momentum against a winless Nondies who need a spark to get their season back on track.
Shaun Haffenden stepped up in the side’s last fixture with 6-30, and will hope to do so again, but Nondies requires contributors with the bat to match his efforts.
The final fixture of the round sees champion Echuca travel to Tongala.
Tonny showed fight at the top of both innings against Moama last weekend but will need to prolong that effort if they are to take down the premiers.
Captain Alex Williams has been useful with the bat so far, but the Blues will hope for improved strike for their bowling stocks to limit Echuca’s scoring.
The champion started the season on the back foot with an opening-round defeat, but has rebounded well over the last fortnight.
New Scottish import Nathan Elliot has settled in well with five wickets so far, while Charlie Hinks has been lethal with the ball, leading the side with eight.
As is the Echuca way, batting has been by committee thus far, with five innings of 40 or more coming from five different players.
McMahon Shield round four — Day one
Tongala vs Echuca — Tongala Recreation Reserve
Nondies-Cohuna vs Leitchville-Gunbower — Cohuna Recreation Reserve
Bamawm-Lockington United vs Echuca South — amawm Recreation Reserve
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