mmg.com.au

Rochester United ensured second place on the Campaspe Cricket Association ladder would come down to the final round derby clash between United and the Tigers after it comfortably defeated Echuca South on Saturday.

Defending a first innings total of 126, the home side already had South at 5/20 at the start of the day’s play, with opener Keith Chalmers and captain Mark Peterson at the crease.

The duo represented the best chance for the away side, being the last two recognised senior batsmen.

The pair could only add 13 more runs to the score before Chalmers was trapped in front by United captain Dylan Cuttriss for 15, after spending 32 overs at the crease.

Peterson (16) fell soon after to Cuttriss — who was on then on a hat-trick after dismissing Shaun Haffenden — with the score at 9/41.

However, tail enders Shannon O’Brien and Hugh Nelson stood tall to prolong the innings for a further 17 overs and added 27 runs to the total, with O’Brien top scoring for the innings with 24 not out as South was bowled out for 68 and United recorded the 58-run win.

Cuttriss claimed 6/20 from his 21 overs, while Lachy (2/11) and Nick O’Connor (1/1) and Adrian Pappin (1/20) were the other wicket-takers.

United then batted again and lost three early wickets to Chalmers and O’Brien, before Jesse Cuttriss (30), Carl Doolan (33) and a free hitting Lachy O’Connor (52 not out) — whose innings included three sixes and three boundaries — helped push the side up to 9/154 by the end of the day’s play.

All South bowlers claimed a wicket, with Chalmers (2/19), O’Brien (2/17), Stewart Moar (2/45), Haffenden (1/24), Mitch McMullan (1/39) and Peterson (1/9) chipping in.