Katandra will have a shot at defending its Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield crown after qualifying for finals with a victory over Nagambie on Saturday.
The Eagles batted all day against a Lakers bowling line-up that featured star Mark Nolan, who currently sits second in the competition for wickets (36).
Katandra finished the match with a score of 7-305, well surpassing Nagambie’s first innings total of 124.
For the Eagles, the star of the show was veteran batter Andrew Riordan, who retired not out on 102 runs off 146 deliveries with an innings that included 10 fours and two sixes.
Riordan was well assisted by number five batter Hadleigh Sirett, who struck 70 off 109 balls.
At the start of their innings Eagles co-captain Jedd Wright said the objective was clear: win big and they would qualify for finals.
THE GAME
Nagambie 124 (Mitchell Winter-Irving 31, Mark Nolan 26, Jedd Wright 4-26) lt Katandra 7-305 (Andrew Riordan 102*, Hadleigh Sirett 70, Ben Tarran 2-45)
STAR PLAYER
Andrew Riordan (Katandra): Riordan’s second hundred for the season was a classy knock that secured finals for his side. Retired not out and will be happy to be heading into finals in a rich vein of form as the Eagles look to defend their crown.
“It was our goal at the start of the day,” Wright said.
“With the other results going certain ways, we just wanted to keep it in our own hands, and we were happy to get the win.
“He (Riordan) batted really well, him and Hadleigh. After Ben Pedretti (31 runs off 138 balls) and Ben Clurey (36 off 148) had a good opening stand, those two batted really well. They made sure they got the job done and didn’t leave it to anyone else, so they both batted really well.
“I thought the way ‘Riordo’ and Hadleigh saw out the good bowlers. We certainly think Nagambie has the best bowling attack in the comp with their good seamers.
“They really weathered the storm and then once they got going they were able to bat on and made sure they put the game away.”
Katandra finished the regular season in fourth place and will play Central Park-St Brendan’s in the first round of finals next weekend.
Wright believes the Eagles’ performance against the Lakers should give his side confidence heading into their next match.
“That was probably the first time we put a whole game together for the year,” he said.
“It’s good timing and, hopefully, we can just put in a good, consistent performance next week. When we bowl well and field well, generally, we get the job done.
“Hopefully, we can do that again next week.”
Katandra will play its first final at Deakin Reserve in a two-day match, while Nagambie (which finished the season in sixth place) faces a tough ask against ladder leader Waaia in its first final.