Karramomus displays offensive grit to create serious Haisman Shield contest with Kyabram

After all, it was this fixture in the final round of last season which produced the Redbacks’ 20-wicket great escape, snatching a finals spot and ultimately propelling to premiership glory.

All of that was in the rear view as two-day action returned to the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield at the weekend and Karramomus was out to atone for previous sins and demonstrate there would be no such easy points this time out.

The early portion of the day was perhaps enjoyed most by Kyabram keeper Ethan Hart, who claimed catches behind the stumps to dismiss both Karramomus openers.

Big things grew shortly thereafter, though, as Declan Newbound and Jayden Dhosi firmly went about putting any flashbacks of the Bloods’ infamous destruction last time out of observers’ minds.

There were overs eaten up heading into lunch, to be sure, but the pair did not lack aggression by any means, combining for 10 fours and three maximums as the job went on.

The 80-over format allowed the reigning premier to make a different kind of move or two along the way, though, and, while Kyle Mueller is normally known for his titanic displays with the willow, coach Jackson McLay gave him plenty of space to chance his hand — or arm, really.

Wouldn’t you know it was just what the doctor ordered that minute.

Mueller would claim the handy wicket of Newbound before full-timer Jack Donnell, bowling for the second time in red and black after crossing from Kyabram Fire Brigade, took care of the remaining threats down the track.

Of course, by then, Dhosi and Nathan Jones had each treated themselves to a bat-raise and set the home side up for a seriously threatening total.

Charlie McLay continued his rich vein of form by cleaning up the tail for a series of single-figure tallies, but Karramomus was well and truly in this contest with a final score of 213.

Karramomus captain Mitch McGrath was buoyant at stumps about his side’s position in contention after a solid day on the tools.

“We’re happy with what we put on the scoreboard,” McGrath said.

“We know we’ve got plenty of work to do next week, but we’ve probably left 30 or 40 more out there.

“It’s been a long time coming in getting a decent score, so it’s good to see. Something we’ve been talking about is that if we can get one good partnership before that’s upset, we can go on with that.

“It makes it easier for the next bloke when that happens and, overall, it was a good reward for effort.”

McGrath’s men are by no means about to rest on their laurels with a strong offence, however — one obviously does not forget what the Redbacks are capable of with the bat.

“Runs on the board are always good, but we know how damaging that side can be,” McGrath said.

“Our bowling game plan has to be really disciplined, but we’re really happy to put this score down and try and defend it next week.

“We’ve had a difficult draw to start the season, but we’ve been in every game.

“It’s about taking the next step and looking to push on; against top sides, you want to be competitive and match it with them.”