The Lakers controlled the contest from the outset on Saturday, restricting Students to 154 before chasing the target with ease in the 35th over to bank another valuable set of premiership points.
The visitors batted first and found scoring difficult against a tight Nagambie attack that rarely offered width or release.
Callan McCabe (23 runs) and Sam O’Brien (14) showed early patience but were unable to convert starts as wickets fell steadily through the top order.
Felix Odell looked fluent early, striking three boundaries in a brisk 19, but James Auld broke the innings open with his dismissal.
From there, pressure told.
Oscar Lambourn was the lone ranger when it came to scoring through the middle innings, occupying the crease for more than an hour on his way to a gritty 36 from 63 deliveries.
While Lambourn worked hard for his runs, Old Students struggled to find momentum as partnerships failed to take shape.
Brayden Biggs was the pick of Nagambie’s bowlers, finishing with 3-27 from nine overs, repeatedly hitting a testing length.
Mark Nolan (2-28) and Auld (2-17) struck at important moments, while Ryan Ezard’s tidy spell kept the scoring rate in check.
A late contribution from Liam Callegari (22 not out) and a generous 19 extras dragged Old Students past 150, but the visitors were dismissed in the 45th over with a sense that the total was under par.
Nagambie’s reply was calm and calculated.
Tom Barnes fell early, bowled by Jamie Carr, but Flynn Bush and Mitchell Winter-Irving ensured there was no panic.
Bush played the supporting role, grinding out 21 from 49 balls to steady the innings, while Winter-Irving settled quickly and began to dictate terms.
James Auld’s dismissal briefly offered Old Students a glimmer, but it was short-lived.
Winter-Irving produced a composed unbeaten 77 from 101 balls, striking eight fours and two sixes in an innings that has reflected his form this season, now sitting third on the run charts with 384 at an average of 64.
He was well supported by Nolan, who added an assertive 39 not out, finding the fence six times as the pair guided the Lakers home.
Carr claimed two wickets, but the lack of scoreboard pressure meant Nagambie never needed to take risks on the way to crossing the line at 3-156, the chase wrapped up with 10 overs to spare.
Nagambie’s task scales up in difficulty next up when taking on top side Kyabram, while Students host a Tatura side clinging on to its finals holding.
THE GAME
Old Students 154 (Oscar Lambourn 36, Callan McCabe 23, Brayden Biggs 3-27) def by Nagambie 3-156 (Mitch Winter-Irving 77 not out, Mark Nolan 39 not out), Jamie Carr 2-33)
STAR PLAYER
Mitch Winter-Irving (Nagambie): Winter-Irving’s dashing 77 not out with the blade as well as a wicket showed why he’s one of the Haisman Shield’s best all-rounders so far this season.
