United on a hot roll as it knocks over Echuca

Shepparton United continued its golden start to the Goulburn Murray Cricket A-grade women’s season on Sunday as it travelled to Victoria Park and dismantled Echuca by eight wickets.

United’s fourth win in as many starts, the girls were on point from the get-go as they restricted Echuca to 98 from its 20 overs before cruising to victory in 18 overs.

Christina Roberts was the star for the visitors, crushing an unbeaten 38 off 30 balls and registering 1-10 from her four overs in what was a complete performance from the all-rounder.

While Mel Saunders was equally as impressive with bat in hand, combining beautifully with Roberts to add an unbeaten 33 to help orchestrate a professional run chase.

Shepparton United coach Steve Williams said he was proud of the way his team ground out the victory.

“It was a really hard-fought win, Echuca set a really solid total which was always going to be a tough ask to chase down,” Williams said.

“But with the bat our intent was great, Christina (Roberts) set the tone with three boundaries off the first over and we went from there.

“I set the girls a target of scoring 25 runs every four overs and they smashed it out of the park, so to see the girls put in such a strong performance it was great to see.”

Although it was a tough day in the end for Echuca, it did get some joy out of the efforts of Danielle Garden, who brought her side back into the game with an eye-catching 35 off 18 balls.

But the professionalism of United shone brightest in the finish, with four of its seven bowlers registering a wicket to help peg the hosts back to a chaseable target.

In the midst of an excellent season, Williams praised the way his girls had approached their cricket and could not wait to see what they can achieve in the coming weeks.

“From the start of the season they have gone up about 10 to 15 per cent with their attitude and it’s really starting to show out there on the field,” he said.

“They are just so full of energy and full of encouragement for each other, every wicket is celebrated like a goal at the FIFA World Cup it’s unbelievable.

“It’s a really exciting time at the club at the moment and hopefully we can keep the momentum going.”

Unfortunately Shepparton United’s B-grade women’s team could not join its counterparts on the winners’ list, as it fell to Bamawm-Lockington United by five wickets.

In Goulburn Murray Cricket A-grade John McMahon Shield action, a brilliant knock from Matt Hinks has put Echuca in prime position following day one of its clash against Kyabram Fire Brigade.

Hinks continued his blistering start to the season by scoring 99 as Echuca posted 317 at Victoria Park.

Fire Brigade now requires a monumental batting effort this weekend to come away with its second win of the season.

Nondies Cohuna cruised to victory on the first day of its two-day encounter with Echuca South.

Peter Moore was the star of the day, taking 4-24 with the ball to restrict Echuca South to 85 in the first innings.

He then backed up his efforts with bat in hand, striking 51 off 47 to lead Nondies Cohuna past the victory target in 21 overs.

Moama is on the ropes in its encounter with Rochester, with the Magpies being bowled out for 85 in their first innings.

A brief fightback with the ball does give them some hope as they currently have Rochester at 5-49 as the players prepare to return this weekend.

While BamawmLockington United and Leitchville-Gunbower are locked in a tight battle.

Batting first LeitchvilleGunbower was restricted to a below par 100 from 51.1 overs to be on the back foot.

But a second innings fightback has the game delicately poised, with BLU currently sitting at 4-53 after 25 overs.