No less than 13 wickets fell on day one of the Kyabram-Karramomus Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield clash at the weekend.
The hosting Redbacks, chasing outright victory to give themselves any chance of appearing in next month’s finals series, declared at 9-171 before sending the Bloods in to bat.
What Kyabram may not have expected was for Karramomus’ bladesmen to grit their teeth so hard in reply.
Though victory looks unlikely for the Bloods as they sit at 4-67, finals passage for the Redbacks looks even glummer with outside results condemning Jackson McLay’s charges to the dreaded seventh place.
A lacklustre start punctuated a confusing day for Kyabram.
The Redbacks found themselves at 2-15 after losing openers Billy McLay and Paul Parsons for single digits, compounding Kyabram’s batting woes after last round’s loss to Waaia.
Cade (35) and Kyle (31) Mueller came in and played almost identical innings to each other, but the brothers were removed short of raising the willow.
Kyabram’s tail wagged to enhance the run rate — namely through Angus McKenzie (27, four fours) — and after 46 overs, the Redbacks were ready to let rip with the ball.
Karramomus progressed to 0-22 before Luke Forge exited for six and the slight stumble became a full-on slip as the Bloods went on to lose 4-14 in 13 overs.
However, Zac Groombridge (18 not out) and Nathan Jones (17 not out) calmed the chaos and will head to the middle on day two with starts beneath their belts and the desire to end the Bloods’ season on a high.
For Kyabram, clumps of wickets and a dash of fortune are needed to keep its campaign alive.