Sport

Cleeland, Plunkett, step up in high stakes Haisman Shield encounter

By Josh Huntly

Feb 15, 2026

Waaia's Jordan Cleeland stepped up with a half century for his side. Photo by Megan Fisher

It’s do-or-die for the seventh-placed Waaia to stake a claim for finals, but the reigning Haisman Shield premier is off to a good start in service of defending their crown.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

In a crucial round 10 battle against Tatura, who are on the verge of securing their finals berth, the Bombers posted a competitive total of 236 runs at Waaia Reserve, led by a half-century to Jordan Cleeland and important contributions from Bailey Smith (37) and Mitch Cleeland (33).

Tatura’s Baxter Plunkett blunted the Waaia batting order’s effectiveness with an impressive 5-31 from his 18.4 overs, while Jess Petherick chipped in with two and the rest were shared between Tanner Miller, Dan Coombs, and Lachlan Magee.

Bombers’ captain Mitch Cleeland rued the lack of more runs on the board after several in the order failed to capitalise on their starts, but was pleased nonetheless.

“We probably felt we're a little bit short of where we could have got to, but at the same time I think if you presented us that at the start of the day, we would have taken it,” Cleeland said.

“We’re under no illusions we still have to bowl well and things have to go our way next week, but runs on the board helps.

“We’re as happy as can be at this stage.”

Eight batters climbed into double figures, including Jordan Cleeland’s 140-ball 53.

Cleeland, of the Mitch variety, was pleased with a whole-team effort while also praising Tatura’s efforts with the ball, indicating that will be the model for Waaia’s efforts with the kookaburra when play resumes next week.

“Jordy (Cleeland) took a fair brunt of the balls and set the innings up so that we could get a good score at the end with,” he said.

“Everyone sort of got to a stage where they threatened, and then unfortunately threw it away and probably cost us a few in the end.

“A good team contribution, but slightly disappointing that no one got in and got on with it.

“To (Tatura’s) credit, they bowled really well and there was not a lot of assistance from the pitch, which was once again slightly disappointing that we couldn't capitalise on that.

“We probably have to replicate exactly what they did and stick to those lines and lengths, forcing the issue and force the errant shot.”

The Bombers have won just one of their past four games to leave them narrowly hanging on in the finals race, and if they can usurp Tatura in this clash it could set up a blockbuster clash for sixth in the final-round stanza against Nagambie.

But for Cleeland and his troops, its one day at a time.

“There’s no doubt that everything from now on is must win for us,” he said.

“We made our bed and now we have to lie in it a little bit. We’ve got no one to blame but ourselves for the scenario we’re in.

“So now we've just got to concentrate on playing our best cricket, which if we can do, we're confident is good enough against anybody.

“We have to be at our best in every situation or there's no tomorrow for us.”