Nagambie suffered a three-wicket defeat at the weekend against Waaia, but lives to fight another day in the Haisman Shield competition, having sneaked into finals in sixth spot.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Nagambie teetered on the edge of elimination heading into the final weekend of Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield action, entering day two of its clash on Saturday against Waaia needing a miraculous turnaround to take the points against the Bombers.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
A win would have guaranteed the Lakers, who entered the final round in fifth spot on the ladder, a spot in the post-season, while a loss would leave their fate in the hands of Tatura, for which a final round win would condemn Nagambie to an early exit.
Despite a strong fightback with the ball, Nagambie was unable to overcome a spirited Waaia, however it wasn’t all doom and gloom, as ladder-leading Kyabram came to the rescue for the Lakers.
Nagambie made a strong case to eliminate Waaia from finals contention on Saturday, and after a minor dig into the run chase by the Bombers, tallying an extra nine runs from its day one score of 2-32, the scoring pressure extracted Jamie Riley’s wicket, with the number four bat caught in the field for a 17-ball duck.
Nagambie’s tight bowling lines continued to haunt Waaia on day two, as Laker James Lloyd (4-34) ripped through the top order.
Bombers skipper Mitchell Cleeland (four) and opener Jordan Cleeland (31) departed in quick succession, before import Brandon Diplock failed with the willow too, walking to the sheds for six.
Another duck, this time for middle order bat Kaleb Gilmour, and the Bombers’ low target to chase was becoming a mountain to climb, Waaia positioned at 7-72, requiring 46 runs for victory with only three wickets remaining.
Waaia's Jordan Cleeland and Brandon Diplock hustle between the wickets.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 2 of 7
Waaia's Jordan Cleeland blocks the ball.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 3 of 7
Nagambie's Zac Winter-Irving sends the ball back to the bowler.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 4 of 7
Waaia's Brandon Diplock is called to run a second.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 5 of 7
Nagambie's Zac Winter-Irving stands at cover.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 6 of 7
Nagambie's Jonathan Moore rolls the arm over.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 7 of 7
Waaia's Brandon Diplock keeps out the Kookaburra.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
However, that was where Nagambie’s nastiness with the Kookaburra ended, and where Waaia began to work its magic with the stick.
Waaia’s Bailey Smith played with the poise of his AFL namesake, punching a handful of boundaries in between picking gaps to reach 36 not out, while Sam Trower delivered an unbeaten 22 off 26 balls to motor Waaia towards its target score.
The Bombers teetered on the edge of uncertainty momentarily, but the revival from Smith and Trower ensured the bowling attack’s work on day one had not gone to waste, with Trower hitting the winning runs to the fence at the end of the 44th over.
Fortunately for Nagambie, though, Tatura’s loss to Kyabram means the Lakers have not forfeited their finals position, sliding to sixth and will face the latter in week one of this year’s finals series.
Waaia’s triumph has boosted the Bombers from seventh to fifth, securing a finals lifeline on the last day of the season, and will play Central Park-St Brendan’s, a club the Bombers have the wood over this season after a one day win in round three, setting up a mouthwatering clash.
THE GAME
Nagambie 117 (Zac Winter-Irving 52, Will Trower 5-24, Jordan Cleeland 3-31) def. by Waaia 7-123 (Bailey Smith 36 not out, Jordan Cleeland 31, James Lloyd 4-34)
