Lakers entrenched in top four with key win over Numurkah

Recalled opener Jonathan Moore then took control of the chase, making a quick-fire 48 off just 37 balls to see his side home with 11 overs remaining.

Nagambie captain Mark Nolan said he was incredibly proud of what his side put on the park in such a crucial game.

“I think it was probably our best all-round performance for the year with the bat and ball. We managed to get everything right and it was a fantastic win that is important for our season,” Nolan said.

“If we had lost, we were probably nearly gone, so it was good to stand up and put in a solid performance under that sort of pressure.

“Now we just need to win next week to absolutely secure our place in the finals.”

Winning the toss and electing to bat, it was a disastrous start for Numurkah as skipper Dylan Grandell was sent back to the pavilion for a duck courtesy of some class bowling by Fothergill.

The big quick then proceeded to remove opener Jordan O’Dwyer as the Lakers went in for the kill.

With his side suddenly finding itself at 6-54 and at risk of not reaching triple figures, Liam Gledhill dug in for the visitors, striking a crucial 29 as the lower order looked to salvage something out of the innings.

But a classy spell by Josh Sanderson (1-17) and the return of Fothergill wrapped up the Numurkah innings for a lowly 116.

Chasing low totals hasn’t been a strength of Nagambie’s this season, however, as the Blues chased early wickets in what set up to be an exciting second innings.

But the recently recalled Moore pressed his claims for a spot at the top of the order come finals with a blistering 48 that immediately took the sting out of the game.

Finding the boundary on eight occasions, Moore was able to play with complete freedom as the likes of Luke Nolan (21) and Tyrone Muir batted around in what was a clinical run chase.

Nolan said it was fantastic to see both Fothergill and Moore put in standout performances, as the Lakers continued to build into their best form.

“Nathan (Fothergill) is just bowling really well at the moment. He is full of confidence and is bowling with great pace and accuracy. It is the best I have ever seen him bowl and I’m hoping he can keep it going,” Nolan said.

“With the bat we gave Jonathan Moore a chance at the top and it was probably some of the hardest hitting I have seen. He was smoking them everywhere and even though it was disappointing he didn’t get a 50, he really won us the game in those first handful of overs.”

It wasn’t as successful a day for Nagambie’s B-grade side, going down by 89 runs to an impressive Numurkah unit.

Bowling first, it was a tough start for the Lakers as Numurkah openers Sam Spicer (37) and Aaron Harding (21) put on a solid 60 for the first wicket to have their team in control.

Nagambie worked its way back into the contest as Keith Berry (6-26) came into the attack and ripped through the middle order, inspiring a stunning collapse of 5-31.

But while chaos ensued around him, Matthew Cline stood firm for the Blues, striking a pivotal 34 to help see his team to a competitive total of 9-162.

Berry continued on from his heroics with the ball, compiling a patient 26 at the top of the order to help build a platform for his team.

Unfortunately for the Lakers, he lacked support from his fellow batters, with no other Nagambie player registering double figures.

A balanced Numurkah bowling performance saw the Lakers’ innings last just 31 overs and end on 87.

Junior action saw the under-14B side fall just four runs short of victory in a thriller against Euroa.

Winning the toss and bowling first, the Lakers were clinical with the ball, with Ryan Ezard’s 2-7 the standout as they held the Magpies to just 112 from their 20 overs.

With a seventh win of the season just 113 runs away, Flynn O’Brien helped get the Lakers off to a fast start, registering 30 off 34 balls.

Angus Nash provided great support with 20 of his own, but it was not enough for Nagambie, who just ran out of time in what was an exciting finish.