Rochester’s A-grade side posed for a team photo with debutant Alice Caldow. Photos: Bruce Povey.
Rochester’s total dominance over Nondies-Cohuna in round 14 has given the side top billing at the end of the home-and-away season and the minor premiership.
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Along with the team honours, there was a special debut made in the final round as Alice Caldow became the first female in the history of Moama Bowling Club Goulburn Murray Cricket to play in the A-grade senior men’s competition.
Caldow earned her debut through hard work and strong performances at Rochester Cricket Club, Carlton Cricket Club and NSW pathways programs.
Brandon Byrne remained 56 not out in Rochy’s batting innings.
Photo by
Bruce Povey
Nondies won the toss and elected to bat on its home deck, attempting to put as many runs on the board and put pressure on Rochester’s bowlers.
As has been the case all year, things did not go according to plan.
Sean Williams made a quickfire 53 to put Rochy ahead.
Photo by
Bruce Povey
It did not look that dire for Nondies in the first 10 overs, only losing Sam O’Shea (0) who edged one behind to Kuldeep Lal in the first spell.
The next 10 overs was where things began to unravel for the home side.
The side lost Xavier Wishart (2), Broden Wishart (0), Will Ringin (10), Will O’Shea (0) and Zeb Ellwood (2) before the first drinks break.
Alice Caldow’s history-making debut saw her claim 1-11 and two not out on day one against Nondies-Cohuna. Photos: Bruce Povey.
Blake Watts (14) and Shaun Haffenden (15) managed to provide some resistance, but a handy bit of fielding saw the former run out and a peach by Myles Wade to the latter put Nondies at 8-50.
Kyeran Ellery managed to drag his side to the start of the 36th over, but he came unstuck with Angus Martin bowling him for 13.
Kyeran Ellery was bowled Angus Martin for 13.
Photo by
Bruce Povey
It was always going to be a tough ask, with Nondies side defending a lean 63-run total.
That score was quickly chased down by Rochester’s opening pairing of Brandon Byrne and Sean Williams.
Williams blasted a quick-fire 53 off 34 balls when he was dismissed, but the visiting side was already well and truly past the goal total.
Blake Watts was run out for 14.
Photo by
Bruce Povey
First-drop Vibhor Yadav (12) was next to depart, with Kuldeep Lal (2) and Jake Wright (7) trying to support set batter Byrne.
After a quick 24-over batting stint, Martin decided that was enough to have a crack at Nondies again with Byrne earning himself an unbeaten half-century (56 not out) and Caldow (2 not out) only facing five balls.
Vibhor Yadav playing off his pads.
Photo by
Bruce Povey
Rochy had 17 overs left in the day to break open Nondies again; however, the home side decided to spice up its batting order.
Ellwood (8) was the only one to fall in the first 10 overs, yet Ringin (14) and Watts (5) would be kicking themselves that they didn’t see out the remainder of the day.
Jake Wright hit one onto the off-side.
Photo by
Bruce Povey
The Rochester side is in prime position to claim double points and is looking particularly potent heading into finals, while the Nondies side is staring down the barrel of a winless season.
The game
Nondies-Cohuna 63 (Shaun Haffenden 15, Blake Watts 14, Angus Martin 4-10) and 3-37 (Will Ringin 14, Xavier Wishart 7 not out, Sean Williams 1-11) lost to Rochester 4d-144 (Brandon Byrne 56 not out, Sean Williams 53, Shaun Haffenden 2-22)
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