Rochy undone by brilliant Buchanan

By Josh Huntly

Nov 20, 2023

Steaming in: Jesse Cuttriss begins his bowling action. Photos: Bruce Povey

Rochester faced a ruthless Moama outfit in the McMahon Shield at the weekend, falling by 93 runs at Moama Recreation Reserve.

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In their first game at Moama this season, the home side batted first and posted an imposing total of 6-239, a score built on the back of a superb innings from Fraser Buchanan.

Centurion: Moama’s Fraser Buchanan made 108 against Rochester.

Buchanan belted 108 off 127 deliveries, building on a solid opening partnership between him and skipper Joel Murphy.

Murphy made 43 in the opening stand of 81 runs before departing the crease to the bowling of Blake Evans (2-39), who also claimed the scalp of in-form Michael Hill.

Anthony McMahon joined Buchanan at the crease in the 24th over and the duo posted 81 runs for the third wicket, McMahon’s strong season with the bat continuing with 49 runs.

Taking flight: Nate Rasmussen sends down a delivery.

Brandon Byrne (2-33) made the crucial breakthrough of Buchanan, but by then Moama had already sped past 200 runs, leaving Rochester a mountain to climb in the run chase.

Rochester found itself in all sorts of trouble early in its efforts with the bat, as the top three of Brandon Byrne, Matthew Harrington and Joel Bunce were all dismissed in quick succession, with Rochy reeling at 3-19.

Eyes on the ball: Joel Bunce watches closely after playing a shot through the off-side.

Jesse Cuttriss (16) and Blake Evans (12) steadied for the visitors, bringing the team total to 54 before they both fell within a short space of each other.

Oliver Williams top-scored for Rochester with 29, while Brad Major hit 24 not out in a late cameo for the visitors, who were bowled out for 146.