Sport

Rochy drops B-Murray decider

By Matthew Kappos

Mar 9, 2026

Donald Young led Rochy’s batting effort with 57. Photos: Bruce Povey.

Kyabram Fire Brigade mustered enough scoring momentum to come out on top in the Bill Williams Murray B-grade shield grand final, defeating Rochester by six wickets at Bamawm Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

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After winning the toss, Rochester opted to bat first and its opening pair set a good platform for the side’s eventual total of 7-162.

The runner-up Rochester squad was a few runs short in the B-grade Murray final.

Donald Young made 57 and Asher Rasmussen 27, the two combining for an 84-run stand for the first wicket.

However, there were fewer scores of note down the order, Morgan Boyack (19 not out) and Nate Rasmussen the only others to reach double figures as Rochy declined from 2-115 to 7-151 before finishing with 162 from its 40 overs.

Mark Macfarlane was fired up after Rochester's first wicket.

Getting between the wickets proved an issue with two run-outs in the innings, while Kaine Herbert led Fire Brigade with the ball, taking 2-29.

Jarrod and Ben Chapman and Brenton Sheppard also chipped in wickets.

The Flames’ innings followed a similar cadence to the Rochester stint before it, beginning with a solid 79-run opening partnership.

Mitch Dunne saluted a half-century, making 57 from 109 deliveries, while partner Justin Hooper added 33.

First drop Paul Newman took up the cause when called upon, launching an attacking raid of 32 unbeaten from 29 balls.

From a comfortable position of 2-135, Newman’s surge got the Flames home with six wickets, and just under five overs, still in hand.

Paul Newman went on the attack, making an unbeaten 32 from 29.

Nate Rasmussen added 2-12 from only two overs for Rochester, while Mark Macfarlane and Alice Caldow also secured wickets.

The Game

Rochester 7-162 (40) (Donald Young 57, Asher Rasmussen 27, Kaine Herbert 2-29) lost to Kyabram Fire Brigade 4-163 (35.2) (Mitch Dunne 57, Justin Hooper 33, Nate Rasmussen 2-12)

Other divisions

In B-grade Goulburn, Fire Brigade was bowled out for just 74, with Moama rolling to a comfortable seven-wicket win.

Asher Rasmussen scored 27 runs in the final. Photo by Bruce Povey

C-grade saw Girgarre complete an unlikely run from fourth spot on the ladder, removing Echuca for 78 and winning the premiership by eight wickets.

Remarkably, the D-grade final between Echuca and Stanhope finished in a draw, both sides making 159 from 36 overs, resulting in minor premier Echuca taking home the trophy.