In a crucial clash The Flames dismissed Echuca South for 145 in 44.5 overs, but came up 39 runs short in reply against a Tristan Watson-led attack.
Watson took 5-17 to decimate the Brigade’s top and middle order along with new ball bowler AK Gunathilaka who claimed 3-45 off nine overs.
Skipper Rob Salter was the only Brigade batter to make more than 20 runs.
In South’s innings Rathika Rajakumara top scored with 31, while Riley Carver took 3-42 off nine overs and along with Salter, Tom Owen and Kaine Herbert, each with two wickets, kept The Flames in the game.
The loss has left Fire Brigade a game behind Echuca, Leitchville-Gunbower and Bamawm-Lockington United which along with The Flames are fighting for the last spot in the top four.
This Saturday Fire Brigade hosts LG in a crucial clash before the bye followed by Echuca and Tongala in the last two rounds.
· McKenzie Cowley produced his best innings of the season to put Tongala in the box seat against Nondies Cohuna to win its second game for the season.
With an unbeaten 56 off 54 deliveries Cowley helped Tongala to 5-222 off its 45 overs.
Cowley got plenty of support from Keagan Miller and Adam Nunn, both with 43, Jayden Tucker with 38 and Matt Ohlsen with an unbeaten 21.
In reply Nondies were dismissed for a creditable 191 with Ohlsen with 3-29 off eight overs and Lachy Caldwell and Hugo Monnich Vo, each with two wickets, doing the most damage with the ball for the Blues.
· BLU’s batters had a decent crack against Rochester, reaching 9-216 in reply to the home team’s daunting 7-270 highlighted by a dazzling knock of 137 from opener Sean Williams.
Williams faced 128 deliveries and cracked 11 fours and three sixes.
Vibhor Yadav with 34, Adam Ward (29) and Dylan Cuttriss (21) gave him most support.
BLU with Regis Chakabva showing the way with 72 reached 9-216 in reply with Jesse Cuttriss with 4-44 off nine overs taking the bowling honours for the winners.
· Moama had four batters — Matt Saunders (35), Anthony McMahon (44), Russell Stockdale (37) and Kirk Teasdale (38 not out) — contribute to Moama’s winning score of 8-202 against Leitchville-Gunbower which could muster only 123 in reply.
Jason Keath with 33 and Simon Tatt (31) made half of LG’s score.
Rhys Drennan with 4-21 off nine overs was Moama’s most destructive bowler.
