Sport

Lions punch T20 semi-final ticket, Rochy left out in cold

By Oliver Shedden

Dec 8, 2025

James Ryan’s unbeaten 90 against Nondies-Cohuna helped BLU secure a semi-final match against Moama in GMC’s T20 competition. Photo: Jordan Townrow.

It was mixed fortunes for Bamawm-Lockington United and Rochester in the final regular season round of Goulburn Murray Cricket’s T20 competition.

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James Ryan’s heroics with the bat for the Lions against Nondies-Cohuna helped to secure a place in the semi-finals, while Rochy were once again bested by historic rivals Echuca.

BLU v Nondies-Cohuna

The round three clash took place at Cohuna Recreation Reserve, with the host winning the toss and electing to bowl first.

While Regis Chakabva continuing to struggle for form this season, notching 12 in this match after falling to a caught and bowled effort by Zeb Ellwood, fellow opener Woody Wilson hit a solid 41 off 34 to get the Lions off to a good start.

First drop James Ryan was the star of the show for BLU, smashing 90 not out off 48 deliveries, striking at 187.50 in a knock that included five boundaries and six maximums.

Ellwood was the pick of the bowlers for Nondies, snaring 2-25 off his four overs as the Lions finished their 20 overs at 4-172.

In the second innings, it was an effort by committee for the host, as captain Jake Klemm (21), Elwood (20) and Callum Neil (20) all made starts but were unable to go on and make a big score as the rest of the lineup struggled.

Meanwhile, Prateer Mehta once again delivered with the ball, his tricky leg spin producing 3-28 off his four overs, while Noah Turner picked up 2-19.

Ultimately, Nondies limped to the end of the innings, falling well short of the target at 9-104, handing a semi-final berth to the visitor.

BLU now has a date with Moama on Thursday at Moama Recreation Reserve to see who will progress to the big one.

Rochester v Echuca

Things didn’t go quite as swimmingly for a struggling Rochy unit, being stymied yet again by the green machine.

It was a close encounter between the two rivals at Windridge Oval, with Echuca winning the toss and electing to bat first.

All of Echuca’s top five made starts, led by opener and captain Brendan Moyle (24) and first drop Aidan Young (46).

Angus Martin was Rochy’s only multi-wicket taker, producing 2-18 off his four overs, as the visitor cruised to 5-156 off its 20 overs.

In the second innings, it was the host’s openers that produced the goods, with Cyrus Shafi (66) and Sean Williams (59) both producing half centuries.

Unfortunately, no-one else went along with them as no other batter made more than nine, leaving Rochy seven runs short after its 20 overs.

Corey Jacobs (3-17) and Ryan Caldwell (3-23) were the pick of the bowlers for the visitor, despite Echuca finishing second last in the short form competition.