Lions stamp authority with huge win over Rochy

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, BLU made a solid start as Regis Chakabva and Kade Pearse put on 46 for the first wicket.

Angus Martin opened the game up for the host, cleaning up Pearse (9) with a peach before first drop Liam Hamilton kept the ball rolling.

The total increased to 76 before Hamilton was dismissed by Jesse Cuttriss for 14, with the pacer striking again shortly after to send Woody Wilson back to the sheds for two.

Chakabva’s whirlwind innings came to an end after being caught by Oliver Williams off Adam Ward’s bowling, smacking 61 off 70 with seven boundaries and a maximum.

Luke Thompson found rhythm to take the Lions into triple figures and looked poised to go the distance before a mix up between the wickets resulted in the former being run out for 15.

Joel Felmingham picked up where Thompson left off, hitting a solid 23 before Judd Cuttriss got in on the action through the safe hands of Morgan Boyack.

Prateer Mehta anchored the back portion of the innings for the Lions, finishing with an unbeaten 61 batting at seven with Noah Turner (14) and Jeremy Felmingham (8 not out) sticking with him to get their side to 7-213 from the 50 overs.

In the second innings, Rochester didn’t get off to the same hot start as opener Brandon Byrne (6) fell to Jeremy Felmingham early.

Sean Williams continued to prove why he is one of the best all-rounders in the competition, partnering Oliver Williams to get the ball rolling.

Oliver Williams could only manage 12 before he became Braydee Hutchins’ first scalp.

Rochester’s middle order looked in fine touch, all making starts, however, none could go on to make that match-winning big score.

Sean Williams (42) was robbed of a half-century by Mehta before Cale James and Dylan Cuttriss combined well through the middle overs.

James took his side to the cusp of 150 before Jeremy Felmingham nabbed his second, beating him all ends up for 33.

Dylan Cuttriss was out before he could really accelerate, being caught by Wilson off Hamilton’s bowling for 23.

Ward (32) was the last line of defence for Rochy and when he was run out by Joel Felmingham for 32 it spelled trouble for the host at 8-170.

The last five batters combined for a total of 13 runs as Rochester was ultimately bowled out for 180 in a tick more than 47 overs, 33 runs short of the required total.

BLU now sits on a tier of its own in third position on the ladder, with the gap to fourth substantial and a game behind Echuca South in second.

Meanwhile, Rochy is still vulnerable to a late push by Kyabram Fire Brigade in fifth.

Rochy should get back on the horse against wooden-spooner Nondies-Cohuna in round 14, while BLU will look for another win over Leitchville-Gunbower.