Kyabram has punched its ticket to its first grand final since the club joined Cricket Shepparton, besting Numurkah at the weekend by 63 runs.
The Redbacks, hungry for a maiden appearance in the Haisman Shield decider, have found another gear during their race to finals and throughout, collecting almost all points available to them since January.
A big-swinging Paul Newman and a lethal McLay strike partnership have spearheaded their charge and did so again at the weekend, making short work of a Numurkah outfit which could not match the Redbacks’ ferocity.
Exacting revenge was on the cards for captain Kyle Mueller and coach Jackson McLay, after the Blues dismantled their side in round nine to deliver a comprehensive 96-run defeat.
Newman picked up where he left off the previous weekend to compile 38 off 80, losing Billy and Charlie McLay early, before Mueller departed for one not long after that.
In hot water at 3-81, Cade Mueller stuck around with Newman, putting on 22, before Kyle Fitzgerald managed 26 and Darin Ohlsen 17 to get the Redbacks’ run-rate back to a healthy pace.
McLay said their resistance was vital considering the restrictive bowling attack Numurkah brought to Kyabram Recreation Reserve.
“They bowled really well and kept things tight, so for Paul to hang tough was really important, and then Cade, Fitzy and Darin put runs together to get us to 140 which we thought was enough,” McLay said.
Three-wicket hauls to Tim Braybon (3-11), Mitch Grandell (3-24) and Liam Gledhill (3-28) suppressed the Redbacks’ hitters from putting on a mammoth score and kept the total within reach.
However, the McLays did not delay in their dismantling of Numurkah’s top order, bowling superbly to remove the first four within 11 overs.
The experience of Blues stalwart Gledhill shone through, as he attempted to mount a resistance with 26 runs to his name.
Searing spells from the Redbacks’ spinning brigade of Kaine Herbert (2-13), Darin Ohlsen (2-15) and Alec Young (1-7) ended Gledhill’s fightback and affirmed Kyabram’s grip on the game, snuffing out the Blues’ middle to lower order to have them back in the sheds for 77.
“It was a really even bowling performance,” McLay said.
“Everyone chipped in, I thought Kaine bowled exceptionally well, he’s been in great form and hasn’t bowled a loose ball in weeks I think.”
The club will burst onto the grand final stage this weekend to face reigning premier Mooroopna at Deakin Reserve, set to do battle for its maiden Haisman Shield, having joined the competition in 2015.
“It’s very exciting for the group and for the club to have a team in a grand final, we’re just enjoying the win last night and looking forward to Saturday,” McLay said.
THE GAME
Kyabram 140 (Paul Newman 38, Kyle Fitzgerald 26, Tim Braybon 3-11 Mitch Grandell 3-24 Liam Gledhill 3-28) d Numurkah 77 (Liam Gledhill 26, Jackson McLay 3-13, Kaine Herbert 2-13, Darin Ohlsen 2-15)
STAR PLAYER
Jackson McLay (Kyabram): The Redbacks coach had Blues batters in all sorts early, extracting Grandell and O’Dwyer in quick succession to put his side in command. His purple patch continues - another three wicket-spell at the weekend brings his tally to 19 scalps this season.