Round one of the Haisman Shield delivered a loss to both grand finalists from last season’s two-day decider.
Who out of Kyabram and Mooroopna will break its duck and avoid going 0-2 to start the summer?
Last Saturday, the Redbacks were given the rough end of the stick, having their game against Nagambie called off due to poor lighting and weather with 2.4 overs to go and trailing by 16 runs.
Kyabram was already nine wickets down, so an unlikely comeback would have been required for the Redbacks to win.
Instead, they suffered a 16-run loss thanks to the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern system.
In Mooroopna’s case, a 3-4 start to the match meant last year’s grand finalist was battling to stay in the contest only six overs in against an emerging Numurkah side.
This Saturday at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, the two sides will have a chance at redemption when they face each other for their second one-day match of the season.
Clear skies and sunny conditions are on the forecast and Mooroopna player-coach Henry Barrow can’t wait for a chance for a small slice of revenge against last year’s premier Kyabram.
Although he knows both sides will look different to the last time they met.
“We have had a few outs since then and so have they,” Barrow said.
“We know they are a really strong bowling team, but we go into the match expecting to put on a good show and come away with the win.
“It won’t be an easy match by any stretch of the imagination.”
Mooroopna struggled to post a competitive total against Numurkah, but Barrow backs the talent his troops have at the top of the order.
“We didn’t get the start we wanted, but we know our top three — Ethan Baker it was his first game for us, Tas (Hall) and Joel (May) they scored some important runs for us last year — won't let 3-4 happen every week,” he said.
“We also know that we have lads down in the middle and lower-order that can score important runs.
“We know we can fight back in games and put on a competitive total.”
Given both sides lost their opening match of the season, it should be an enthralling affair.
The Redbacks arguably have their noses in front in terms of favouritism, but Barrow believes some early wickets can help his side regain its confidence quickly.
“I think our bowling depth (is our biggest strength),” he said
“Last week myself and Gaskill were the two most senior bowlers and the bowlers you would look at to take our wickets and bowl well — we both didn’t bowl great last week.
“Making inroads to Ky’s top-order with Paul Parsons, the McLays at the top and Kyle Mueller.
“If we get into them early doors, we know that we can run through sides.”
Kyabram player-coach Jackson McLay said there was a lot of silver linings in last weekend’s loss to Nagambie.
“I thought we were pretty scratchy in (batting, bowling and fielding), so to get that close was a real positive,” McLay said.
“I thought we bowled well, we probably let ourselves down in a couple of overs, but if we can improve a couple of per cent in our fielding and especially our batting.
“I am confident if we can turn that around we will be right in the (premiership) mix again.”
Although both teams have put last season’s two-day grand final result behind them, McLay said Saturday’s fixture would be well worth a watch.
“We have really good contests with Mooroopna, it always seems to go down to the wire,” he said.
“Both sides are generally pretty strong with the ball, I think it will come down to who can take their chances in the field.
“Also will depend on which batting side can withstand the pressure.”
In other Haisman Shield matches, Nagambie will host Central Park-St Brendan’s and Shepparton-Youth Club United will face Numurkah.
Tatura will look to start the season 2-0 against Euroa, new A-grade club Pine Lodge faces Waaia and Karramomus hosts Katandra for its first game of the season.
Old Students have the bye.