A total of 141 seemed a touch below par, but it was more than enough for the Blues’ dominant bowlers, skittling United for just 86 in a brilliant display.
Leading the way in his milestone 200th game was Numurkah captain Liam Gledhill, reeling off six of the last eight wickets to end with strong figures of 6-31.
He also had it going with the bat, scoring 36, while Will Arnel led the Blues’ scoring with 39.
Sean Downie also chipped in with 24, but it was an impressive spell from United spinner Rehan Bari that stood out, with 32 overs conjuring great figures of 4-40.
‘‘We started really cautiously, I told the boys after the innings I didn’t think we took on the game as much as I would have liked,’’ Gledhill said.
‘‘Bari and that young spinner from SYC (Mitch Jarrett) were able to get it to spin a bit.
‘‘Bari bowled 32 overs, he was very consistent with his length and areas, he bowled really well, but he’s just a really good cricketer.’’
Yesterday’s play had United keen to produce an upset win and it started solidly before Tim Arnel rattled Dwain Vidler’s stumps for just five.
Downie (3-8) found the big wicket of Bari for 18 before the Gledhill show started, bowling Sam Kershaw (17), having Travis Gillin caught (duck) and trapping Mitch Jarrett (14) lbw to leave United 5-57.
From there the tail was cleaned up rather quickly, with Downie finding another two scalps while Gledhill took three more, with Chris Rendina top-scoring with 19 as his side was all out for 86.
‘‘It was really pleasing, the wicket took a lot of spin, I thought 141 was probably 30 or 40 runs short, but it took a fair bit of spin, it was fairly dry,’’ Gledhill said.
‘‘I was pleased we could get wickets in that middle period today, that was the key. Tim Arnel got a wicket early, and I think Downie getting Bari with the first ball of spin for the day was really important.’’
The win ended United’s chances of finals, while it kept Numurkah second with one round to play, but the game was truly about celebrating Cricket Shepparton legend Gledhill’s contribution to his home club.
‘‘I just wanted to contribute something, just to do something for the side,’’ he said.
‘‘It was good I was able to contribute a couple of wickets and runs, but most importantly we got the six points, that’s what it’s all about.’’
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