Round one Cricket Shepparton action is in the books and it's time to delve back into the world of Saturday Sundries and, for this first edition, The News will shine a sharp spotlight on B-grade — admittedly due to the fact it was the only lower grade played.
Saturday Sundries are all the extra highlights from the weekend’s lower grade cricket — from the top run-scorer to the best bowling figures and anything else of interest from across the district’s grounds.
To make sure we don’t miss any classic moments, why not message Shepparton News Sport on social media or email us at sport@sheppnews.com.au
Four wickets in six balls ... and a loss
When Euroa hosted Waaia at Euroa Friendly Society Recreation Reserve, Magpies bowler Jack Walters went on a not-so-friendly rampage.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Bombers soon found themselves in a world of hurt, with Walters the main antagonist.
On a bad day for batters — one player scored above 16 — Euroa had Waaia evenly poised at 2-31 after 7.5 overs.
Then the third wicket fell, with Magpie Archie Wilson ending Bomber Matt Stuart’s day early for 13.
Walters came on for his second over for the day and snared Hughie Stammers for five with his first ball.
After celebrations died down and Walters walked back to his mark, Waaia’s Aiden Bryant strolled out to bat only to complete an immediate U-turn as Walters skittled Bryant to complete Euroa’s team hat-trick.
Waaia now sat on 5-31.
Daniel Glover then — with his pads on backwards and his helmet inside out — rushed to the middle with his bat and calmly saw off Walters ... for two balls.
Walters collected his second set of stumps thanks to Glover and the third of his four wickets for the day to make it 6-31.
However, despite Euroa’s white-hot start, Waaia soon did what Waaia football or cricket teams tend to do and reclaimed control of the match.
The Bombers won the fixture by 33 runs.
United gets its ducks in a row
Set a target of 169 by Tatura at Princess Park, Shepparton-Youth Club United Cricket Club made a strong start to the chase in its opening one-day match — sitting on 3-107 after 26.3 overs.
However, as is so often the case in cricket at all levels, one wicket brings two and two brings a collapse.
Harry Singh was the first United bat to go after he was bowled by Tatura’s Darcy Brewer for 44.
Jaskirat Singh was then castled next ball for a golden duck by Brewer as the wickets began to tumble.
United’s next three batters failed to register a single run off the willow.
Tatura ended up claiming the match by 41 runs, with the home side’s final five batters registering scores of 0, 0, 0, 0 and 1.
Two guns shine in the battle of Blues
Across A and B-grades, batters struggled to make a serious impact with the willow during round one.
However, two guys who slotted back into life at the crease seamlessly faced each other when Mooroopna hosted Numurkah on Saturday afternoon.
Numurkah stalwart Tyson Woods got his summer started in style, scoring a classy 79 runs off 122 balls — the innings featured eight fours and a six.
Woods’ time at centre wicket was cruelly ended early by a run out with 2.1 overs remaining and 21 runs short of a ton.
In response, Mooroopna captain Simon D’Elia was in a hurry when brought to the crease after the third wicket fell.
D’Elia’s bat was left smoking as he returned to the sheds 77 balls later, having struck a quick-fire 74 runs.
Mooroopna’s seasoned veteran hit six boundaries, while healso cleared the rope on four occasions.
Numurkah won the match by 19 runs.
Northerners flex their muscles
News photographer Rechelle Zammit was busy on the boundary line at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve capturing Northerners’ first match in B-grade against Katandra on Saturday afternoon.
Northerners won the match convincingly, chasing down Katandra’s total after 23.4 overs.