An entertaining first week of the Cricket Shepparton Clyde Young Shield B-grade finals series has set up two enthralling semi-finals this weekend.
On Saturday, the game between Mooroopna and Karramomus and the contest between Tatura and Kyabram went ahead, with Kyabram causing an upset away from home.
The Redbacks travelled to Frank Howley Oval to take on a Tatura side that finished second on the table.
The home side chose to bat first and posted 7-126 after 40 overs.
Heath Fidock’s 45 not out off 40 balls was a highlight for the Bulldogs, with opener Rohan Forster finding his way to 29.
A great team bowling performance from Kyabram helped keep Tatura’s score low, with Damien Parsons (2-10) and Nicholas Chambers (2-20) two of five different wicket-takers.
With an achievable score to reach, Kyabram went to the crease needing some good batting, and that’s what it delivered.
An opening partnership of 36 got the Redbacks off the mark, while the middle order duo of Lukas Hanslow (33 not out) and Jayden Fitzgerald (30 not out) ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Louis Worm (2-18) was the best of the Tatura bowlers, however, his performance was not enough, with Hanslow ending the game with a six to pick up a five-wicket win.
The loss will be a hit to Tatura’s confidence, with the side making it through to the next round as the highest-placed loser — for Kyabram this win could very well catapult it all the way to the title.
In Saturday’s other game, a dominant Mooroopna continued its winning ways with a big 55-run win over Karramomus.
The Cats were clinical with bat and ball, posting a total of 8-199 thanks to the work of Travis Gillin (48), Ben Woods (37) and Troy Brown (35), while Karramomus’ Connor Michel was the best of its bowlers with 2-32.
With a big total to chase, Karramomus were up against it, however, a solid start to the run chase, including 45 from Sam Walton got them into a good position.
Yet the Cats were too strong, with clinical bowling from Simon D'Elia (3-28), Damon Zampaglione (2-7) and Riley Moon (2-28) getting the side over the line.
The results mean Mooroopna and Kyabram go through to the semis, with Tatura also heading through as the highest placed loser — the match between Numurkah and Northerners was played on the Sunday reserve day, with the winner set to enter the semi-finals.