Nagambie began its late season Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield finals push in emphatic style on Saturday as it crushed Euroa by eight wickets in what was a statement victory on its home deck.
Set up by a dominant first innings bowling performance, Brock Boddington was the star of the show for the Lakers, taking 4-13 as the Magpies’ top order crumbled to have them bowled out for 102.
Skipper Mark Nolan was also at his dominant best with ball in hand, as he extended his lead atop the competition’s bowling ranks with a clinical 3-15.
The Lakers’ batters then took control of the contest after tea, sending the Euroa bowlers to all parts of Nagambie Recreation Reserve to reach the target in 20.1 overs with eight wickets in the sheds.
It was Nagambie’s first victory since the Christmas break and Nolan said the result had the potential to springboard his team’s run to the finals.
“It was really good to get back on the winners’ list. We’ve only played one game in about six weeks, so I thought we might have been rusty, but to the boys’ credit they were excellent from the first ball,” Nolan said.
“This win will go a long way to help our confidence moving into this next portion of the season where we have to win the majority of our games to qualify for the finals, and I think if we play our best cricket, we can.
“We found ourselves in pretty well the exact same position last year and we made it, so I think this win will be a great platform for us moving into this crucial month of cricket.”
Winning the toss and batting first, Euroa buckled under the extreme Nagambie heat as Boddington and Nolan put on a show to have the Magpies reeling at 5-58.
Star batter Sham Dadallage did his best to bring his team back into the contest, striking a quick-fire 29 to give the Euroa bowlers something to defend.
But the Lakers’ class again shone through, as they picked up three quick wickets to roll the Magpies for 102.
“We bowled very well, I thought," Nolan said.
“The boys were very disciplined with their line and length and made life tough for them — but we didn’t field particularly well again, so there’s always stuff to improve on.
“Brock’s performance was the real standout for us. He’s bowling really well in the nets and a good clip as well, so to see him go out and perform on the weekend wasn’t a surprise.
“He also got great support by the entire attack. To see the boys fire like that with the ball was very pleasing.”
Needing 103 for victory, the Lakers batters came to the crease with purpose as they looked to find some much-needed form.
And despite losing opener James Auld first ball, Nagambie settled into the chase quickly with Zac Winter-Irving (36) and Luke Nolan (32 not out) putting together a 61-run stand.
Brayden Biggs then strode to the crease and put the finishing touches on the rout, with his quick-fire 29 seeing the Lakers to victory.
The win, which was Nagambie’s third of the season, has it close to within three points of a struggling Waaia in sixth spot.