Sport

Lakers make winning return to GMCW competition

By Alexander Dabb

Oct 20, 2026

Nagambie's Kayla Shepherd posted both her side’s equal highest score with the bat and best bowling figures in a statement opening round performance on Sunday.

Nagambie made a triumphant return to the Goulburn Murray Cricket Women’s competition at the weekend, proving far too strong for Nathalia in the opening round clash at Nagambie Recreation Reserve on Sunday.

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With the Cricket Shepparton Women’s competition folding after just one season, the Lakers made their way back to the GMCW, beginning their campaign against the Purples at home on Sunday with a solid 35-run victory.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Nagambie was immediately on the attack as opener Amber Langham powered her way to 28, retiring not out after facing 30 deliveries and making way for skipper Kayla Shepherd to stride out to the middle.

Newcomer Liz Chapman became the first Lakers casualty, removed for eight to leave Nagambie down 1-46. However, Shelley Houston joined Shepherd at the crease and the pair proceeded to belt Nathalia’s bowlers to all parts.

In a whirlwind knock, Shepherd added 28 off only 15 deliveries, hitting two fours and a six before being dismissed with the Lakers at 2-95, while Houston retired unbeaten on 14. But disaster soon struck as the visitors mounted a comeback.

Kelsey Abbott was dismissed for a golden duck, with the Lakers slipping to 3-95, while Sarah Villinger and Christie Thomas each departed for one, Sharay Slivarich for a duck and Chelsea Kennedy for two, as Nagambie’s lower order collapsed from 1-95 to 7-111 from 20 overs.

Initially it looked as though Nathalia was on track to mount a successful chase, as it recovered to 1-47 after the Lakers had found an early run-out to have it in trouble at 1-4 as Sophie Garvey and Shepherd combined to form a lethal bowling attack.

Snaring six wickets for 29 runs, the Lakers suffocated Nathalia’s batters, with Garvey’s 2-4 and Shepherd’s 3-6 supported by Slivarich’s 1-14, as the visitors spluttered to a total of 7-76 from their 20 overs, with the Lakers securing the tidy first-up victory.

The win slots the Lakers into second spot behind only reigning GMCW premier Moama, after the Mowers claimed a ruthless 82-run victory over Rochester on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Shepparton Youth Club United claimed a solid 27-run win over Katamatite, while reigning Cricket Shepparton premier Mooroopna forfeited its clash against last season’s GMCW grand finalist Echuca.