Tonny can’t keep Moama bats in check

Russell Stockdale continued his fine form at the top of the order and combined with Fraser Buchanan for a 104-run opening stand.

Stockdale belted 78 from 60 before he departed, captain Joel Murphy stepping in to continue his work.

Buchanan (36) was dismissed at 2-148 and Murphy then linked up with Kobyn James for another mammoth partnership.

Both men eclipsed 50, Murphy was approaching a century when overambition between the wickets cost James his place in the middle, run out for 83.

The partnership had totalled 155 and Murphy soon after raised his bat for a well-made hundred.

The Mowers’ captain powered on to 114 from 107 before Braith Northausen snagged his wicket just before the innings concluded, Moama posting 5-351.

Hudson Kellett was Tongala’s wickets leader, taking 2-74.

A side not known for its prowess with bat in hand, the Blues made a decent start to the mountainous run chase.

Jayden Tucker and Hudson Kellett put on 64 for the second wicket to bring their side to a manageable 2-84 start.

Tucker would eventually pass 50, but fell one run later and, while Kellett’s 28 and 40 from number four Adam Nunn were useful contributions, the rest of the order provided only token resistance.

Eventually, the Blues declined to 9-164, opting to call the innings there with fewer than 10 overs remaining and more than 180 still required.

Stockdale continues to shine in both aspects of the game for Moama, adding 3-24 to his earlier half-century, while Rhys Drennan (3-13) also took three wickets.

Moama remains atop the ladder, with a big quotient lead over also perfect BLU.

This week the Mowers face off with last year’s grand finalist Rochester, which has made a more modest 3-3 start to this campaign.

The 1-5 Tongala will have to wait a week to try and get something going as it has the bye in round 7, before returning to host Echuca South on November 29.