It was Rochester, however, that walked away with a five-run win on the back of a quick-fire half-century from opening batter Blake Evans and clutch bowling at the death.
Evans blasted 82 runs off 73 in the one-day match-up after Rochester skipper Sean Williams won the toss and opted to bat on a warm day in Moama.
Evans played far from a lone hand, with Jesse Cuttriss playing an industrious 38-run innings, while Joe Hamilton and Dylan Cuttriss each compiled 28.
Kirk Teasdale had Moama up-and-about early with the prized scalp of Williams for a rare duck, before Evans and Charlie Ryan (21) stabilised the brief wobble early in the innings.
Rishabh Kothari continued the Moama counter-punch taking 5-31, but despite Kothari’s heroics Rochester still managed to compile 219 runs.
Needing 220 for victory, Moama was in the box seat to take out honours after a top-order blitz led by Fraser Buchanan, but left their run too late.
Buchanan whacked 10 boundaries in his 76 runs, while Moama captain Jack Russell posted 51.
Seemingly cruising, Moama looked likely to reach the required total in a canter before Rochester’s bowlers tightened the screws.
Richard Tibbett and Dylan Cuttriss reduced Moama from 3-204 to 7-214, and needing 20 runs for victory off the final over, the task proved too much for Russell’s batters as Rochester held its nerve to claim its fourth win, and jump back into second spot on the A-grade ladder.
Player of the match
Blake Evans and his swashbuckling 82 laid the platform for Rochester’s win and earns him player of the match honours.
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