Rochester’s bowling unit was fit and firing against Leitchville-Gunbower, three different bowlers taking two or more wickets as the host removed L-G for 145. Photos: Bruce Povey.
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BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
It wasn’t the usual suspects who stepped up for Rochester as it rolled through Leitchville-Gunbower to keep its finals push on track in the McMahon Shield.
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For the second straight week of Goulburn Murray Cricket, Rochy had two half-centurions raising the bat, but it was two different players who brought up the milestone at the weekend.
Regular starring pair Sean Williams and Jesse Cuttriss did the deed last time out, but Rochester proved its batting depth when opener Tim Bubb and youngster Cale James notched 50s this week.
Cale James salutes a well-worked 50.
Photo by
BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
With Rochy batting first, Bubb held the top order together at Windridge Oval after Brandon Byrne and Sean Williams departed with 20 on the board.
The pairing of Bubb and James would define the innings, putting on 131 for the third wicket, and getting their side out of a tough situation.
Both men saluted 50s, but were gone within eight runs of each other, first Bubb for 74 and then James for 61.
It was Bubb’s second 50 of the McMahon Shield season and James’ first, demonstrating Rochy’s depth.
From 4-159, later cameos from Jake Wright (22 from 14), Jesse Cuttriss (17) and captain Angus Martin (19) got Rochester to its eventual total of 8-220 from its 50 overs.
Although the runs piled up a little quicker than it would have hoped, L-G bowled well on the whole, particularly Blake Gibson (3-48), who took the first three of the match, and James Keath (3-40).
The Leitchville-Gunbower chase was disjointed from the start.
Jason Keath found the boundary twice, but was gone within four balls, leaving Tyler Jones and Scott Lucas to advance the score.
Tim Bubb made a game best 74.
Photo by
BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
The pair added 29 runs, but L-G would then lose 5-19, declining to a dismal 6-56.
Simon Tatt (21) and Blake Gibson (40) added some respectability, but their partnership of 52 did little to improve their side's prospects of reaching the total.
Eventually, Rochester found the wickets needed, ending the innings after 43 overs, with L-G on 145.
Sean Williams took 3-34, edging out superstar junior Judd Cuttriss (3-36).
Rochester (5-4) remains in a battle with Kyabram Fire Brigade for fourth place, the Flames currently with the edge on quotient, but headed into a bye.
Rochy will have the opportunity to enter the finals when it takes on Echuca South this Saturday, while L-G hosts Nondies-Cohuna in a battle of the bottom two.
The Game
Rochester 8-220 (Tim Bubb 74, Cale James 61, James Keath 3-40, Blake Gibson 3-48) d Leitchville-Gunbower 145 (Blake Gibson 40, Sean Williams 3-34, Judd Cuttriss 3-36)
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