This Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield tie was entirely in Numurkah’s hands - until it suddenly wasn’t anymore.
Coming into day two at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve with just 78 runs needed for a simplistic yet season-defining set of points, the Blues appeared in cruise control.
In fact, the victory target was under 50 by the time Numurkah lost its second wicket.
What could go wrong, right?
With significant credit going to a Nick Breslin four-wicket outing, it turned out a whole lot could.
THE GAME
Mooroopna 143 (Joel May 34, Nick Breslin 22, Mitch Grandell 5-10, Raguvaran Aravinthan 3-38) defeated by Numurkah 9-148 (Raguvaran Aravinthan 39, Josh O’Dwyer 33, Nick Breslin 4-38, Henry Barrow 2-52)
STAR PLAYER
Raguvaran Aravinthan (Numurkah): Many contenders emerged as the potential MVP but Aravinthan did the most all the way around in restricting the Cats and laying a solid foundation for what ended up being a far closer win than it had to be - which wasn’t his fault at all.
Josh O’Dwyer and Ragu Aravinthan got stuck in, following the foundations they set up a week prior, but five dismissals for scores of two or less would erode almost all that groundwork.
A Tim Braybon diamond duck, run out by Sam O’Brien, only raised the volume of the already-ringing alarm bells.
Last week, Numurkah skipper Tim Arnel suggested that Matt Cline was the best bowler currently active in the Haisman.
While one can make arguments for many contenders to that title, what Cline accomplished by knocking in the winning runs was far more valuable on the day.
No matter how stressful the circumstances, though, Mooroopna’s winning streak snapped at six, and the Blues cemented themselves within the finals positions, which Arnel will take gladly.
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Short ball: Numurkah's Riley Dawson goes for runs as the ball approaches. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 10
Careful: Numurkah's Raguvaran Aravinthan is defensive with the bat. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 10
Slow and steady: Numurkah's Tim Arnel survives another ball. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 10
Full commitment: Mooroopna's Jac Smith Williams loses his hat in the act of fielding. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 10
On a roll: Mooroopna's Henry Barrow works out his plan. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 10
Go for a drive: Numurkah's Riley Dawson seeks to go low towards the boundary. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 10
Top effort: Mooroopna celebrates one of many wickets on the day. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 10
All over it: Mooroopna keeper Matthew Price juggles the ball. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 9 of 10
Down and dirty: Mooroopna's Brady Mulcahy hits the turf to maintain control. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 10 of 10
Even-keeled: Numurkah's Raguvaran Aravinthan and Tim Arnel have a meeting. Photo by Rechelle Zammit“We got through the first hour one wicket down. Josh continued on his really good form, and Ragu did the same,” Arnel said.
“They bowled tightly on us and put the brakes on us scoring.
“Matt Cline came to save the day and batted exceptionally well with Kody Jackson in a high-pressure situation.
“I was really pleased with the performance set up from the week before.”
Why, you may find yourself asking, would that be the case after losing eight wickets for barely 80 on the day?
The answer lies in the simple fact that Mooroopna has been near-impossible to corral and, Breslin heroics aside, nearly got out of jail again.
“To beat Mooroopna over there is a great effort from us,” Arnel said.
“We think we’re up there with the best, and if we continue to work hard at training, the rest will take care of itself.”
There must have been some concern in the moment, though, right?
Not if you’re the captain, it would appear.
“With the experience we had down the lower order, like Cline with over 100 A-grade games, I had no doubt they could get the job done,” Arnel said.
“It was tight at the end, but I had faith in our boys and knew they had the job in hand.
“Matt’s a cool customer, and Kody took his chance this week.”