Entering the final round contest in fifth, level with sixth-placed Tatura and three points ahead of opponents Waaia in seventh, a win would ensure safe passage for the Lakers, but a loss, combined with a Tatura win, would see Nagambie tumble out of the finals picture.
Half of that latter scenario looks likely to eventuate as the Lakers were rolled for 117 on Saturday at Nagambie Recreation Reserve following a treacherous spell from Bomber Will Trower, which has put Waaia in the box seat for victory, which at this stage looks likely to see them qualify for finals.
Nagambie won the toss and elected to bat, but a three-ball duck for Tom Barnes placed immediate warning signs on the innings to come for the Lakers.
The Bombers restricted Nagambie’s run scoring, holding the Lakers to a run rate of 1.57 before the second wicket fell, with a gritty 14 off 40 for Brayden Biggs ending with an edge to Brayden Carey behind the stumps.
Will and Jesse Trower would reel in the top order and middle order for peanuts, dismissing Dale Short (18), Mitchell Winter-Irving (eight), and Mark Nolan (12), while Zac Winter-Irving acted as the resistance.
However, the Trowers would continue to cause carnage, Will extracting the wickets of James Wilson and Jonathan Moore for four and a seven-ball duck, before Jordan Cleeland had his say, claiming the final three wickets, including Winter-Irving (52) with a classy caught and bowled, ending Nagambie’s innings on 117 after 61.4 overs.
That handed Waaia 15 overs to make a start on chasing the Lakers’ low total, and while a couple blemishes were made, the Bombers are well on track to completing its late bolt for March action.
Damien Atkins and Jordan Cleeland produced a steady start before Atkins edged a James Lloyd delivery, which was followed by a four-ball duck for bowling wizard Will Trower, trapped LBW by Lloyd.
Lloyd’s figures sit at 2-0 after two overs with the Kookaburra, and continuing such havoc will be key if the Lakers are to turn around the position they currently stand in on day two.
Waaia’s Jamie Riley ensured his position at the crease was in tact by stumps, facing seven balls without a run while Cleeland walked off unbeaten with 11 to his name, Waaia at 2-32.
Just 86 runs are required next week for the Bombers, the flag defence as alive as ever, but as a contender itself, Nagambie still has the potential to swing this game around and secure its own finals berth with a victory, although it would require a herculean effort.
The saving grace for the Lakers could prove to be ladder leaders Kyabram, with the Redbacks posting a total of 250 on day one in their clash with Tatura, but more importantly, have Tatura 2-12 at stumps to be well on top, which is good news for Nagambie as a Redbacks win will also see them through.
THE GAME SO FAR
Nagambie 117 (Zac Winter-Irving 52, Will Trower 5-24, Jordan Cleeland 3-31) leads Waaia 2-32 (Damien Atkins 20, Jordan Cleeland 11 not out, James Lloyd 2-0)
