Who had this pegged as the Haisman Shield’s highest-scoring game of the weekend? You’re lying. Put your hand down.
In fact, while games are never won on paper, hardly anything about Northerners’ 40-run victory over a faltering Kyabram ― their first of the 2023-24 season ― could ever have been pictured going in.
Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve witnessed a true spectacle Saturday afternoon, kicking off with Northerners electing to bat first and mashing right out of the gate en route to a season-high 7-231.
THE GAME
Northerners 7-231 (M. Brett 72, T. Sidebottom 58, A. Young 3-49) d Kyabram 191 (K. Mueller 68, J. Sidebottom 4-31, D. Furnell 3-21)
STAR PLAYER
Josh Sidebottom (Northerners): A sterling output on the defensive end, Sidebottom was doing it all to get his side over the line for its first win. Four dismissals and two catches - including a screamer - were the catalysts for a huge result.
Trent Sidebottom’s 58 came with the assistance of no fewer than 10 fours before a stumping ended his day as he sought another.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Brett would take control shortly after with an opposite mindset, reaching the half-century with a run-a-ball display of 72 mostly centred around gut running.
What could go down as the truest oddity of the innings is the four dismissals the Redbacks caught and bowled.
You read that correctly. Three different Kyabram bowlers took catches off their own handiwork ― featuring Alec Young ending up with two himself.
A challenging run chase couldn’t have picked up in worse fashion for the already-faltering Kyabram outfit, with opener Billy McLay’s stumps knocked over three balls in.
Skipper Kyle Mueller roared to life with his first big outing of the campaign, batting like he had somewhere to be as he busted out his best Glenn Maxwell impression.
His 68 off 52 deliveries (seven fours, five sixes) looked to have resurrected the Redbacks after a shaky opening stanza dominated by Trent Sidebottom.
Dallas Furnell eventually ended the party, the first of three wickets in a tidy spell that put the clamps back down on Kyabram.
Northerners captain Stuart Turner was thrilled to be off the mark at last.
“I thought we went in as favourites,” Turner said with a laugh.
“We batted very well, but it’s a good pitch that held out, so we knew we still had to bowl well.”
What initially loomed as a likely cellar-dwelling clash with Old Students at Kialla this weekend with two winless streaks at stake is now an opportunity for Turner’s side to string some momentum together.
After all, rousing displays from both Sidebottom boys should inspire confidence.
“Josh was excellent with the ball, making those early breakthroughs,” Turner said.
“That was Trent’s (Sidebottom) 200th A-grade game for Northerners, which is a huge milestone in my eyes.
“He took a couple of catches as well. I’ve seen a lot of catches in A-grade, but the one he took to get Kyle Mueller out was right up there.”