Kyabram playing coach Jackson McLay described his side’s tense and thrilling 15-run win over Nagambie on Saturday as a “real nail-biter”.
The Redbacks were made to do it the hard way as they defended a low target of 118 and dismissed Nagambie for 103 in front of a healthy crowd to remain entrenched in the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield top six.
It took some fiery bowling from opening duo Angus McKenzie (1-14) and McLay’s brother Charlie (2-10), a crucial 23-run knock from Darin Ohlsen and one “screamer” of a catch from captain Kyle Mueller to ensure the hosts got the job done in the round seven contest.
McLay confessed he was surprised his charges were able to walk away with the points after they posted 118 from 43 overs — in a match that was dominated by bowlers at Kyabram Recreation Reserve.
“It was a real nail-biter. You don’t win too many matches in this competition with 118 on the board,” he said.
“The pitch didn’t feel like a 120-run (pitch), so I felt like we were behind the eight-ball. The main message before we went out to bowl was ‘let’s bring the energy and apply the pressure’ and see what happens.
“Once we got Mark (Nolan) out and they were 3-19 we knew we had a chance.”
Nagambie was able to regain composure through Zac Winter-Irving (35 runs) and Luke Nolan (26), however, something special from Mueller brought about another swing of momentum.
Fielding at short cover the Redbacks skipper flung himself in the air — reminiscent of his spectacular footy aerial prowess — and with one hand, was able to hold onto a match-turning catch.
“Kyle took an absolute screamer to dismiss Luke Nolan,” McLay said.
“He (Kyle) doesn’t often show much emotion, so when he was pumped after the catch you knew that it was something special. It really changed the momentum that catch.”
Kyabram, through its spinners Kaine Herbert (3-25) and Adam Nunn (2-18), continued to put Nagambie under the pump and fittingly, it was Charlie McLay who clinched the final and match-winning wicket during the 42nd over.
“We spoke pre-game about how important this game was. They are a side who are hunting us for a spot in the top six,” McLay said.
“It was a really big game for us. We know we are going to have to be better against the top sides, but we also don’t want to dismiss what we thought was a good win.”
THE GAME
Kyabram 118 (Billy McLay 29, Darin Ohlsen 23, Jeewan De Silva 3-17, Mark Nolan 2-17) d Nagambie 103 (Zac Winter-Irving 35, Luke Nolan 26, Kaine Herbert 3-35, Charlie McLay 2-10)
STAR PLAYER
Darin Ohlsen (Kyabram): A tricky match to select a real standout with so many contributors, but it was Ohlsen’s efforts with the bat that even had Kyabram’s coach applauding his knock. Of Ohlsen’s 23-run knock at number 10, McLay said it was “the difference in the end”.