Sport
Haisman Shield | Phenomenal Pedretti provides ‘captain’s knock’ to continue Jets’ unbeaten run
Ben Pedretti finished eight runs shy of a glorious Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield century as the Northerners secured their third win on the trot.
The Jets’ skipper put on a masterclass 92-run knock in the round three triumph over Tatura — a win that keeps the Jets locked in top spot.
Pedretti’s effort with the bat came as his side suffered a nervous 5-9 collapse, but the talented opener kept the innings afloat which carried Northerners to a commanding 8-200.
Northerners coach Steve Allen applauded his opener’s starring “captain’s knock”.
“From the word go the boys made the most of the loose balls and got us off to a good start and we reached none for 50,” Allen said.
“A few top-order boys got a start, but couldn’t go on with it and then we found ourselves have a little batting collapse.
“It was a real captain’s knock from Ben. He’s a true opener; he can bat time, values his wicket and can score quickly. He looked good against Euroa the other week and he’s certainly capable of an innings like that and it’s good to see him bat well.”
Tatura threatened early on in its run chase at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve.
The visitors raced to 1-54 in the 13th over, however, Dallas Furnell (2-14) collected the crucial wicket of Tatura skipper Daniel Coombs (28).
Spinner Stuart Turner was able to apply pressure on Tatura’s batters with his tight lines and the all-rounder finished with a respectable figure of 3-16.
Tatura failed to regroup and had to settle for a 107-run defeat.
A positive from the loss for Tatura was wicketkeeper Xavier Hutchinson’s performance behind the stumps and Raj Singh.
Handed the gloves full-time this season, Hutchinson held on to four catches, while Singh contributed with a 4-35 haul.
THE GAME
Northerners 8-200 (Ben Pedretti 92, Tim Brett 32 not out, Raj Singh 4-35) d Tatura 93 (Daniel Coombs 28, Stuart Turner 3-16)
STAR PLAYER
Ben Pedretti (Northerners): The day belonged to the Jets’ skipper as he produced a class captain’s knock. Unfortunately the opener was unable to reach his second career ton in the Haisman Shield, but if these performances are replicated in coming weeks another triple-figure score isn’t far away.