Summit reaches peak with handy five-for

By Alexander Dabb

Oct 22, 2023

Save your legs: Echuca’s Curtis Townrow crunched 70 off just 36 balls as his side enjoyed an emphatic victory over Tongala. Photos: Steve Huntley Photo by Steve Huntley

A swashbuckling 70 and a super economical five-wicket haul were the highlights for Echuca as the reigning premier made light work of Tongala in their round three McMahon Shield clash.

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Sent in to bat on their home pitch, the reigning premier was under fire early as opener Brendan Moyle was dismissed for a duck by Oscar McKeown (2-39).

Despite the early hiccup, Curtis Townrow and Matthew Hinks steadied for the home side, putting on 93 for the second wicket to establish a solid foundation.

Townrow was the second to fall, but only after crunching 70 from just 36 balls while finding the boundary 13 times, six of which were via the aerial route.

Kobyn James (37) was a rock in the middle order as Hinks (24) and others began to fall around him, with returning Tongala bowler Darin Ohlsen proving damaging with the ball, claiming five Echuca scalps for just eight runs.

A shaky start turned to a respectable 218 as Echuca was bowled out in 43 overs, giving the visitors a chance with bat in hand.

Touch of class: Tongala’s Darin Ohlsen claimed 5-8 in his first game back for the side. Photo: Steve Huntley Photo by Steve Huntley

However, disaster struck early as Stephen Townsend lost his wicket for just two, and while Rory Knight and Keagan Miller pushed the score along slightly, a disastrous collapse quickly ruined any chance of a Tongala win.

Summit Kingar led the bowling attack for Echuca, finishing with very tidy figures of 5-12 off nine overs as he skittled the top and middle order.

Tongala lost 5-23 as it crumbled under the pressure of the home side’s might and was left languishing at 7-55.

There would be no saviour for Tonny, as Kale Edwards (2-19) mopped up the tail to secure a crushing 145-run victory for Echuca.

The bounce back from last week’s shock defeat to Rochester was emphatic, and will serve Echuca well ahead of next week’s grand final rematch against Nondies-Cohuna.

Tongala remains winless from three games in its return to the top flight and will take on Kyabram Fire Brigade in its quest to open its account next week.