Williams first to raise the bat as Rochester taste first-round victory

Tongala were the ones who started well with the ball in hand, having Rochester 6-68 thanks to some sharp bowling from Lachlan Caldwell and skipper Alex Williams.

But the innings belonged to the Rochy opener, belting 112 runs off 105 deliveries, blasting 15 boundaries en route to a first-innings score of 9-221 for his team.

Jesse Cuttriss (32) and Nate Rasmussen (25 not out) made valuable contributions, while Caldwell and Alex Williams snared three wickets for Tongala.

Despite Rochester’s first-innings total, Williams was pleased with his side’s initial burst.

“It was a competitive effort from us, I thought,” Williams said.

“We bowled a really good 25-30 overs. It was looking really good, I couldn’t be happier with how that went.

“Later in the innings, unfortunately, they got away from us with a few partnerships. Sean Williams batted an incredible innings.

“To be honest, he didn’t give us many chances. All credit to him.”

In the run chase, Keagan Miller and Hudson Kellett made most of Tongala’s 138 runs with 39 and 35, respectively.

However, three wickets to Angus Martin and tight bowling throughout the innings saw the Blues fall short, finishing at 7-138.

Despite the loss, Williams was pleased with his team’s performance.

“We gave it a red-hot go. I was thinking at the start of the day if we batted our overs and got to the 150, I was happy with that,” he said.

“A couple of boys in the middle order, Keagan Miller and Hudson Kellett, had a really good innings, and Lachy Caldwell bowled well.

“I think we can learn a bit from where we were having a good side 6-65, and finishing that innings out is important.”

Tongala faces Cooma in round two, while Rochester will battle reigning premier Echuca.