The battleground of Windridge Oval saw Rochy win the toss and bat first but the Kyabram attack had its line and length in check in the early overs.
The first five overs yielded just 17 runs and was capped off with the opening wicket when Georgia Leonard got one through Taya Munro’s defences.
Fellow opener Imogen Kath joined her partner in the sheds shortly after, leaving Rochy in the precarious position of 2-18.
The introduction of Sadie Martin got the host back on course, the number three striking with purpose and boosting the run rate.
Martin’s work in the middle yielded 20 from 21 deliveries and her pairing with Miranda Crawford added 35 runs.
Cadence Major was next in and followed Martin’s lead, the two briefly sharing the crease before Major (21 not out) and Hayley Broucek (11 not out) were able to guide Rochester to a defendable 5-99 from its 20 overs.
Lauren Renden’s bowling stood out both in strike power and economy as she led Kyabram with 2-6.
Emma Roberts, Rebecca Bowles and Georgia Leonard also picked up wickets for the Redbacks.
Kyabram has struggled to make runs so far this season, but several batters put in a good showing against Rochy as they looked to chase the total.
The innings started ominously for the visitor, who lost both openers within the first four overs.
Rebecca Bowles (15) provided Ky with some useful go forward, finding the boundary three times in her 12 deliveries.
Her partnership with Becky Bruce yielded 17 runs for the fifth wicket, and Bruce and Leonard added a further 13 in their sixth wicket partnership, putting the Redbacks within striking distance at 6-64.
Five overs remained and a further 36 runs were required for Ky to pick up its first victory of the year, but the loss of three wickets in the following two overs effectively ended the Redbacks’ fightback.
Kyabram’s final batting pair of Morgan Parsons and Jaclyn Wickham were able to hold on to their wickets and keep the innings alive, but the runs didn’t come as Ky completed its overs at 9-85.
Cadence Major starred with the ball for Rochy, taking 4-9, including two wickets that broke the Kyabram fightback in the 16th over.
The win positions Rochester back in the top half of the competition at 3-1. It travels to Nagambie next week to take on the in-form Lakers.
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