The first week of the Cricket Shepparton higher-grade and lower-grade T20 cricket competitions is in the books.
The first round was highlighted by several impressive performances, most notably Rhiley Lau, who played one of the best innings of the season for Central Park-St Brendan’s against Karramomus.
Tigers bowler Dwain Vidler (4-8 from 2.4 overs) helped bowl the Bloods out for an under-par score of 84 before a Lau hailstorm arrived as he struck an unbeaten 70 off 25 balls, including eight fours and six sixes.
That’s better than a boundary or greater every two balls.
Thanks to Lau and his opening partner Jack McCarten’s (15* from nine balls) efforts, the Tigers reached the required total in an incredible 5.4 overs to gain first qualification to the semi-final.
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Watch the ball: Karramomus’ batter Luke Forge plays a defensive shot. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 25
Taken a tumble: Central Park-St Brendan's fielder Jarrod Wakeling found himself the wrong way up. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 25
Pass it round: Central Park-St Brendan's Jarrod Wakeling in the field. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 25
Oh that’s nice: Karramomus batter Nathan Jones smokes one through point. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 25
Safe as houses: Central Park-St Brendan's wicket-keeper Jack McCarten dishes one off. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 25
Clear the front leg: Karramomus’ batter Zac Groombridge looks to attack. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 25
Plotting and planning: Karramomus batters Nathan Jones and Zac Groombridge converse out in the middle. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 25
Run to positions: Central Park-St Brendan's Keiran Hogeboom out in the field. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 25
Get down low: Central Park-St Brendan's Ramadan Yze fields the ball. Photo by Megan FisherImage 10 of 25
Line and length: Central Park-St Brendan's Jarrod Wakeling mid-spell. Photo by Megan FisherImage 11 of 25
No run!: Karramomus batter Nathan Jones plays a solid forward defence. Photo by Megan FisherImage 12 of 25
Right-arm over: Central Park-St Brendan's bowler Dwain Vidler sends one down. Photo by Megan FisherImage 13 of 25
Thwack!: Karramomus’ batter Luke Forge tries to up the run rate. Photo by Megan FisherImage 14 of 25
Calm before the storm: Central Park-St Brendan's Rhiley Lau had a day out with the bat. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 15 of 25
Nice and easy: Central Park-St Brendan's Ryan Ash watches the ball into his hands. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 16 of 25
Play it straight: Karramomus' Mitchell McGrath looks to make the most of a half-volley. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 17 of 25
Waiting...:Karramomus' Cooper Delahey contemplates a run. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 18 of 25
Flying in: Central Park-St Brendan's Haris Hassan looks to take a wicket. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 19 of 25
Heads up: Central Park-St Brendan's Ryan Ash tosses the ball. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 20 of 25
Spin king: Central Park-St Brendan's Keiran Hogeboom hunts a wicket. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 21 of 25
Black and yellow: Central Park-St Brendan's Rhiley Lau with the ball. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 22 of 25
Give it the berries: Karramomus' Jayden Dhosi gets on the front foot. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 23 of 25
One there!: Karramomus' Finn Usher goes for a single. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 24 of 25
Easy single: Karramomus' Nathan Jones runs between wickets. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 25 of 25
Eyes on the prize: Central Park-St Brendan's wicket-keeper Jack McCarten watches the ball. Photo by Rechelle ZammitThe second side to go straight through to the semis is Kyabram after dismantling Shepparton United by 66 runs.
The Redbacks were set up by a batting onslaught from their two Kyles, as Fitzgerald top-scored for the match with 82 from 51 balls (six fours, seven sixes), while Mueller came in for a quick-fire 46 from 20 balls (one four, five sixes).
The top score across Thursday’s games came from Old Students batter Felix Odell, who struck a classy 95 not out from 55 balls (11 fours, three sixes) as Students defeated Pine Lodge with one ball left in a thriller.
Haisman ladder leader Waaia cruised to victory over Northerners, winning by 30 runs.
Bombers batter Reinhardt Engler scored 39 from 26 balls (one four, four sixes), while opening bowler Brayden Summerville led with the ball, collecting 3-17 from his four overs.
Numurkah defeated Katandra in a tight contest after the Eagles needed 10 from the last over, but fell short to lose by one run.
Katandra’s Scott Richardson was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-18 (including one maiden) from his three overs.
Meanwhile in the lower-grade competition, Old Students, Karramomus, Invergordon Hawks and Katandra qualified for finals.
Northerners all-rounder Oscar Buckland was one of the highlights of the round as he claimed a maiden in his 3-11 from four overs against Invergordon (aptly nicknamed the FlagHawks).
Meanwhile, Students bowler Jacob Kinnane took 3-8 from his 3.2 overs to help his side defeat Mooroopna by 67 runs.
The next time these teams will play in the competitions will be the first round of finals on Thursday, February 1.