Tatura batters Kiran Green and Josh Macansh punch gloves.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Two classy knocks from Tatura’s top order has the club within finals calculations after round six, while Mooroopna’s loss has the Cats clawing on at the back of the pack.
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Heading into day two of its clash with Mooroopna, Tatura was in a comfortable position to chase down the target of 168, and while coach Daniel Coombs fell early in a “tricky” opening half an hour, the pairing of Joshua Macansh and Kiran Green made no mistake.
Macansh, who had seen out day one unbeaten while his opening partner Bailey Archer was dismissed with the third ball, picked up where he left off with Coombs, however the coach fell in the 20th over - just three overs into the days play - breathing life into the Cats’ chances.
However that hope would quickly fade, as Macansh and newcomer to the crease Green rallied a patient approach to the lightning fast outfield of Frank Howley Oval, producing a “brilliantly” batted innings.
“It was a tricky first half an hour, where the team lost myself, but the boys were patient and went through the gears pretty quickly after that,” Coombs said of day two’s display.
“Josh batted brilliantly, he was unlucky to not get a hundred, and Kiran was superb too.
“It was one of those wickets where the new ball, as it wears down, it gets easier, and a hit past the infield just goes for four.”
Tatura passed the target in the 52nd over just two wickets down, but would remain at the crease until nearly 81 overs were bowled, finishing all out for 297.
Macansh fell agonisingly short of a ton on 96 soon after the target had been surpassed, while Green knocked about to 76 before he was dismissed in the 72nd over.
Tatura’s win sees the club rise to fifth on the Haisman Shield ladder, while the loss has the Cats reeling in ninth for a result that could be telling come season’s end.
Mooroopna fielder Cooper Sleeth commits to the dive to save runs.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Mooroopna fire up following a wicket.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Mooroopna fielder Sai Gudavalli collects a ball punched onto the off-side.
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Megan Fisher
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Tatura top scorer Josh Macansh hooks the red rock to the boundary.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Mooroopna fielder Cooper Sleeth cries out howzat?!
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Megan Fisher
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Tatura batters Kiran Green and Josh Macansh punch gloves.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Mooroopna bowler Joshua Preston takes his final stride.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Mooropna bowler Henry Barrow muscles down a beamer.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Tatura take on second-placed side Numurkah next week however, in an even greater test of their finals credentials.
The Blues share Tatura’s 4-2 record but boast a substantially greater quotient at 1.627, and with second through ninth separated by just one win, it’s another match that is effectively worth double to establish a buffer on the pack.
“It’s a massive game really, it’s gonna be a good match-up,” Coombs said.
“We’ve had really close games in the last few years, high scoring too.
“It’ll be a good test for us, and a win would give us great momentum heading into the Christmas break - plus, you’re right back with the back of the pack if you lose.
“Early wins in the Haisman Shield mean a lot, it gets especially competitive after Christmas.”
Likewise, Mooroopna has a chance to solidify a top six spot if it can beat Shepparton Youth Club United over the next fortnight.
While the Cats are clinging onto ninth, they’re just one win behind second place, albeit with an increase in quotient required to leapfrog some opposition.
THE GAME
Tatura 10-297 (Joshua Macansh 96, Kiran Green 76, Cooper Sleeth 3-29) def. Mooroopna 10-167 (Henry Barrow 50 not out, Sai Rajiv Gudavalli 25, Baxter Plunkett 3-16)
STAR PLAYER
Joshua Macansh (Tatura): The opening bat played his innings masterfully - early patience got him through day one and the “tricky” first half an hour of day two, before he freed up at the crease, smashing 17 boundaries on his way to a score four short of triple figures.
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