Waaia has prevailed in a tight-fisted opening bout against Old Students, stealing victory from under Students’ noses to claim a seven-run win on day one of the fresh Haisman Shield campaign.
As the result suggests, six points took effort for the Bombers.
A composed knock in the middle of the order from new man Reinhardt Engler, paired with some equally measured death bowling, was the key to unlocking Old Students in the eyes of captain Mitch Cleeland.
“We batted okay, we got a bit of a slow start then started to get on top through the middle, but unfortunately then sort of had a collapse and got to eight for about 130,” he said.
“We managed to scrape to 180 which we thought was probably a little bit short of where we needed to be.
“We knew if we bowled we were still in the game 100 per cent and thankfully we bowled okay and fielded really well and managed to cling on at the end.
“Even though they were really good all day, I thought they bowled well and they batted well in the end; somehow we just found a way to win.”
Image 1 of 6
Another one bites the dust: Old Students wicket keeper Noah Muir celebrating Brayden Summerville’s wicket. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 6
Give it a rip: Old Students’ Liam Callegari. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 6
Happy days: Old Students’ Noah Muir. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 6
On his haunches: Old Students’ Felix Odell. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 6
Soft hands: Waaia’s Brenton Low. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 6
Toss the rock: Old Students’ Oscar Lambourn. Photo by Megan FisherWinning the toss and electing to bowl at Kialla Recreation Reserve, Students struck almost instantly as Brayden Carey exited for four.
His opening partner Sam Trower exited for 10, so it was up to first drop Engler to dig his heels in ― and he certainly obliged.
The South African oozed class as he crafted a magnificent knock of 68 before a disastrous run-out mix-up, but his effort in tandem with Cleeland (32 runs) and Brenton Low (33 not out) helped push Waaia along to 9-180.
On the chase, Students mirrored the Bombers’ start as they lost both openers for not many and Felix Odell in at three shouldered the brunt of the run-making.
When he was trapped behind on 44, Gino Saracino’s charges were in a handy spot at 4-109, and the prodigious Oscar Lambourn was holding down the other end well.
However, a game’s not won until it’s done.
A late collapse ensued and when Lambourn was run out for 52 in the match’s final stages Waaia had fully wrested back the power.
Jesse Trower crashed Jake Sutherland’s castle in the final over with Students agonisingly close, leaving Cleeland washed with relief when all was said and done.
“It got pretty close there, it could’ve gone either way I think ― thankfully at important times we were able to get wickets,” he said.
“That run out certainly helped and once we got that we were confident that if we could really stick to our lines and length everything would take care of itself for us in the last over or two.”
Cleeland praised the game of Engler, stating it was a taste of what the foreign run-machine has to offer.
“He batted really well and then managed to get himself ran out in unfortunate circumstances,” he said.
“But it was nice for him to get away, he likes to score quite freely and thankfully he was able to do that once he got in.
“He probably would’ve liked to get a few more, but 60 or 70 is certainly a good way to start your season.”
THE GAME
Waaia 9-180 (Reinhardt Engler 68, Brenton Low 33 not out, Mohammad Shahid 3-21) d Old Students 173 (Oscar Lambourn 52, Felix Odell 44, Jordan Cleeland 2-32)
STAR PLAYER
Reinhardt Engler (Waaia): What a way to announce yourself to Cricket Shepparton. The sleek new Bomber proved to be a dab hand on day one, slapping six boundaries and one maximum on the way to 68. He even chimed in with a cheeky wicket. Runs, scalps, even a great name to boot - what can’t the man do?