Nagambie’s Jayden Oats wasn’t to know when he walked back to the sheds that he was already a premiership hero.
A puzzling title to many, no doubt, given the Lakers had batted first in Saturday’s Cricket Shepparton Whitelock Shield grand final with Katandra at Tatura’s Howley Oval.
Perhaps more so when you factor in that despite Oats’ dogged 51 and hard-earned bat raise, the Lakers had set just 106 in the first innings of this decider.
Boy, did things ever take a turn from there.
Katandra openers Bradley Murray and Sam Smith notched early boundaries, but the Eagles’ maiden voyage with the bat was ill-fated.
So, too, were each of Katandra’s rescue personnel, as it would later turn out.
THE GAME
Nagambie 106 (Jayden Oats 51, Dillon Shelley 4-18, Paul Harry 2-16) d Katandra 49 (Dillon Shelley 8, Sam Villinger 4-8, Ryan Ezard 3-11)
STAR PLAYER
Sam Villinger (Nagambie): Villinger tore the Eagles’ middle order apart in a ferocious spell that broke down any chance whatsoever of a competitive affair. His four wickets came one after the other in a dizzying display.
Sam Villinger had his first victim, then a second, a third and fourth in a miserly display that left Katandra reeling at 6-34 — and that was far from the worst of it.
When Ryan Ezard and Bo Harrison had finished exchanging scalps to reduce Katandra’s tail order to ashes, the Eagles would hardly have known what hit them with no double-figure tallies in the line-up.
Chasing only 107 to win, Nagambie had skittled the challengers from out east for a mere 49, less than halfway to the target, in what became a grand final destruction the likes of which only the Haisman Shield had a chance to match.
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Working hard: Katandra's Tyler Shelley comes in to bowl. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 9
Playing it late: Nagambie's Jeremy Ezard looks to cut one. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 9
All to plan: Nagambie's Jeremy Ezard and Jayden Oats take stock between overs. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 9
High spirits: Katandra's Dillon Shelley spots the lens. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 9
I'll have a go: Katandra's Dayne Wilson takes on the job. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 9
Hot stepping: Katandra's Ian Wilson runs in to field. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 9
Get the single: Nagambie's Jeremy Ezard is on the move. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 9
In control: Katandra's Jett Wilson scoops up the ball. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 9
Inches in it: Nagambie's Jayden Oats escapes safe after a direct hit on the stumps. Photo by Megan FisherBy that token, Lakers president Ryan Matthews was thrilled to see the back of what had become known as something of a finals curse at Nagambie.
“It was a great team effort. Sam (Villinger) bowled terrifically and Jayden (Oats) was a standout when everyone else struggled on that wicket,” Matthews said.
“We always tend to lose the close ones, even in A and B-grade, and it’s been a hoodoo in Nagambie struggling with finals.
“To take an E-grade flag gives us a bit of belief that we can win finals and, hopefully, we’ll win a few more in other grades.
“We didn’t think our score was going to be enough, to be honest, but our bowlers came out and didn't bowl a bad ball.”
Elation aside, Matthews was highly complimentary of Katandra ace Dillon Shelley, who claimed the league bowling average award in this edition of the Whitelock Shield.
Shelley lived up to grand final billing prior to a dismal offensive showing from the Eagles, making off with figures of 4-18 to give Katandra a fighting chance.
Another four-wicket haul soon gave way to best-afield recognition, though, with Lakers bowler Villinger awarded player of the match for his mesmerising eight-over spell that yielded 4-8.
“I reckon Jayden was very unlucky not to win the best-on, but at the end of the day, we didn't really care who won it,” Matthews said.
“Overall, it feels like some voodoo has been lifted with Nagambie winning a grand final and getting that monkey off the back.”