Travelling to Rochester Recreation Reserve, the Flames lost the toss and were sent into bat, with the host angling for a low total to chase.
Rochester got the jump on Fire Brigade early, as opener Miller Griffiths (1) was headed back to the sheds after being caught by Dylan Cuttriss off Angus Martin’s bowling.
Fellow opener Shannon Fleming (18) was next to depart after facing a peach from Martin, sending the bails flying.
From there, The Flames found their feet.
Bohden Learmonth and Jake Gascoyne put on 95 for the third wicket, putting their side in a great position to accelerate through the back half of the innings.
Like the hydra, once Gascoyne (43) was bowled by Adam Ward, a new threat popped up in his place in Cooper Fawcett.
After a strong innings, in which he raised the bat for a half-century, Learmonth was eventually caught by Judd Cuttriss off Ward’s bowling for 74.
Fawcett and captain Rob Salter navigated the Flames to a strong total, putting on 72 between the two of them.
Neither Fawcett nor Salter got a red ink, with the former being caught after saluting for 50 and Salter was dismissed for 29.
By that time, the damage was done with Rochester unable to bowl out the Flames, instead, chasing 233 for victory.
Rochester’s Martin (2-35), Williams (2-37) and Ward (2-31) shared the wicket bounty.
With a big chase required, the host got off to a flier, with openers Brandon Byrne and Williams putting on 78 for the first wicket.
On the verge of a half-century, a mix-up running between the wickets resulted in Williams being run out for 48.
Byrne was also heading back to the sheds after being caught by Miller Griffiths off Oliver Hughes’ bowling for 39.
First drop Oliver Williams (10) didn’t hang around for too long, becoming Hughes’ second scalp, while Dylan Cuttriss could only manage 15, before he too was on his way.
Ward (44) gave the home side hope, holding firm at number five, partnering captain Martin (20) and Cale James (25 not out).
Once Ward was bowled by Archer Backway, Jesse Cuttriss dug his feet in for a gritty 19 not out alongside James.
However, it wasn’t enough to chase down Fire Brigade’s total, falling three runs short after the 50 overs with three wickets still in hand.
Wickets were difficult to come by in round five, with Hughes and Fawcett taking best figures for the Flames with 2-35 and 2-30, respectively.
Rochester is still clinging on to a top four position but will be pressured to get back on the board, particularly as it faces undefeated Bamawm-Lockington United in round six.
Meanwhile, the Flames will look to continue their ascension, with a winnable game against Leitchville-Gunbower in store on Saturday.
The Game
Kyabram Fire Brigade 6-232 (Bohden Learmonth 74, Cooper Fawcett 50, Adam Ward 2-31) d Rochester 7-229 (Sean Williams 48, Adam Ward 44, Cooper Fawcett 2-30)
