Euroa and Old Students’ best chance to date for a long-awaited maiden Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield victory is no closer to a decisive verdict after the first day’s play.
The 2023-24 season has been trying for both outfits.
Still, in a campaign marked by sudden collapses in the order, Magpies skipper Scott Hamilton gave everyone at Euroa a lesson in longevity.
Opening proceedings after Callan McCabe sent Euroa in, Andrew Squires had the licence to thrill while Hamilton plugged away and compiled his innings glacially.
It took the Old Students bowlers almost 52 overs to solve the Hamilton problem through Harrison Willaton, dismissing the skipper for 39 off a whopping 165 balls to ensure Euroa would bat deep into day one.
THE GAME
Euroa 221 (Andrew Butterworth 43, Scott Hamilton 39, Liam Callegari 3-59, Callan McCabe 2-40) v Old Students
Andrew Butterworth top scored on the day, picking his spots efficiently with all but seven of his 43 runs coming from the boundary.
The Magpies would return to the sheds nine balls from stumps and, despite registering a season-high score, the affair is anything but decided, with 222 the target for McCabe’s men.
Hamilton was pleased with the execution of his side’s effort first up.
“To say it was difficult at the top is an understatement after we had a delayed start due to some water that got under the covers,” Hamilton said.
“It was hard to get much play going, let alone get 221 at the end of the day, but I was really proud of the boys showing grit.
“We made it well known after the game that it’s important not to be complacent, because there’s still a lot of cricket to be played.”
Squires slotted into the opener’s role without Vaughan Kirk available.
At the same time Butterworth, who was in survival mode the week before against Kyabram, received the chance to take a more aggressive position.
Hamilton himself probably got the most out of a fresh start.
After all, he faced 165 times as many balls this week as the one he nicked against the Redbacks.
“It was one of those days where the pendulum swayed a fair bit,” Hamilton said.
“It was a difficult pitch to bat on and one of us needed to poke and prod while the other put the scores on.
“I think we needed some experience at the top and I’m glad Squires put his hand up.
“Last week was disappointing on a personal level, so there was business to get done.”
Plenty of business remains ahead, with an Old Students side equally as desperate to join the winners’ circle for the first time.
This fact is not lost on Hamilton.
“We are hard on the fact that we want to be in the fight for longer and these opportunities are far between,” Hamilton said.
“We have to give ourselves the opportunity and take it when it presents itself, to stay in the fight.
“They’re hungry for success, and so are we.”