Two Moama batters saluted centuries but the league leader still had one of its most closely-fought contests with a desperate Rochester at the weekend.
The critical Goulburn Murray Cricket match-up at Windridge Oval began with Mowers captain Joel Murphy opting to have a bat after winning the toss.
Rochester was motivated, an upset win signifying a huge boost for its finals prospects, and the host got off to a strong start when Myles Wade ended Fraser Buchanan’s innings a ball in.
Captain Angus Martin removed the other opener Russell Stockdale in the seventh over, raising Rochy spirits further as Moama was at 2-32.
However, that was as good as it would get for Rochester, as Kobyn James came to the middle to join his captain and the pair came close to batting out the innings.
In a mammoth partnership of 213, both would notch impressive centuries before the Moama skipper’s time was ended on 102 from 130 deliveries, Wade striking again for Rochester.
James would push on, posting 114 unbeaten, while a late cameo from Anthony McMahon got the Mowers to 3-267 from their 50 overs.
Wade finished with best figures of 2-48, Martin’s early scalp the only other breakthrough from the Rochester attack.
Despite the intimidating target Rochester started positively, openers Brandon Byrne and Tim Bubb setting a strong platform.
Byrne reached 50 and the partnership was worth 82 when he fell at the hands of McMahon.
One led to two when in McMahon’s next over he claimed the wicket of Sean Williams.
Bubb and Cale James restored stability and were moving along nicely but, on 56, Bubb unfortunately was forced to retire with an injury, giving Moama another look at a new batter.
That new man, Jake Wright, made 10, and James’ innings was cut short of a 50, Rochester 4-179 as he went for 45.
The run rate had started to get out of hand and, despite picking up the scoring late, mainly through an Angus Martin cameo of 32 from 21, Rochester would finish 32 runs short, posting 6-235.
McMahon and Stockdale logged identical figures for Moama, taking 2-35, while Matt Saunders and Clay McGregor were the other wicket-takers.
Although it has been the side to beat all season, Moama is now officially confirmed as minor premier, three games clear with two rounds to play.
Rochester fell behind Kyabram Fire Brigade at the weekend and is now on the brink of elimination.
With a bye in the last round, Rochy needs to defeat Echuca this weekend and hope the Flames fall to Bamawm-Lockington United and Echuca South in the final fortnight.
Moama will host bottom-of-the-table Nondies-Cohuna this weekend.
The Game
Moama 3-267 (Kobyn James 114 not out, Joel Murphy 102, Myles Wade 2-48) d Rochester 6-235 (Tim Bubb 56 retired hurt, Brandon Byrne 51, Anthony McMahon 2-35, Russell Stockdale 2-35)
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