BLU out of McMahon Shield race at the hands of Moama

Winning the toss and electing to bat first on day one, Moama found itself one down for just 18 as Fraser Buchanan (11) departed at the hands of Jeremy Felmingham (2-52).

Skipper Joel Murphy and Michael Hill combined well to put on 43 for the second wicket until Hill (9) was dismissed by Liam Hamilton, while replacement batsman Archie Teasdale found himself back in the pavilion shortly after having added just three.

Murphy, who had looked well set, was the next to fall, removed by Noah Turner for 39, which saw his side slump to 4-78 inside 30 overs.

Just when BLU had established itself on top of the contest, Anthony McMahon and Matt Saunders came to the rescue for Moama, combining for 83 runs to bring their side past the 150 mark and ensure a respectable score was put on the board.

Showing patience but still striking at 65.9, McMahon notched a brilliant 58 before he was run out, at which point Felmingham pounced to remove Jack Russell for a duck and bring Moama to 6-161.

But Saunders remained at the crease, proving a middle order rock as Moama passed 200, with the number six batsman adding 57 until he was caught off the bowling of Luke Thompson (2-58).

Thompson also nabbed the wicket of Jordan McGregor (28), who had added valuable runs in the tail, to reduce the home side to 9-230, while the run out of Billy Gallagher (1) brought about an end to both the day’s play and Moama’s innings, with BLU set 231 for victory on day two.

The Lions started strongly as they set about the chase, until Anthony McMahon broke through to dismiss Liam Hamilton (8) and claim the first wicket to leave BLU 1-20.

Skipper Regis Chakabva looked steady and was well on his way to yet another 50, making it comfortably to 39 until he played all around a Matt Saunders delivery and was bowled. Saunders also claimed the wicket of Declan Pearse (20) as BLU fell to 3-75.

Werner Brand and Luke Thompson were busy at the crease, adding 54 together until Thompson (17) was undone by some great work by Buchanan behind the stumps, although BLU still looked in control at 4-129 with Brand ticking along nicely.

Josh Cairns’ stay at the crease was brief, dismissed for a duck, before Turner strode out to the middle and fell into a rhythm with Brand, with the pair taking BLU to within 70 runs of the win.

Brand raised the bat for a magnificent half-century, however the joy was short-lived as he was soon given out LBW for 58 off the bowling of Rhys Drennan, which changed the complexion of the game.

With LBU at 6-167, Moama had regained the momentum and capitalised quickly, with Turner made to walk after being trapped in front by Gallagher as BLU slipped to 7-179.

Both Gregory and Kade Pearse departed with the score on 180 as the Lions collapsed to be nine wickets down, leaving Lucas Holgate and Jeremy Felmingham to put on 51 for the final wicket if BLU was to win.

The pair managed a brave 17, but was unable to pull off the miraculous partnership as Felmingham holed out off the bowling of Gallagher to hand Moama the win.