Karramomus’ energy in the field was as contagious as it comes.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Karramomus is set to enter the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield finals in form, as the Bloods have the upper hand in its round 11 clash with Katandra.
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With finals locked in for Karramomus, a weight had evidently been lifted from the men in red and gold’s shoulders on Saturday, playing with a buzz of freedom and positivity in the field against the Eagles.
The Bloods lost the toss and were sent into bowl, and Katandra’s top order initially put the drought-breaking finalists to work.
Openers Corey Hickford and Brady Black put on a 56-run partnership to click the Eagles into gear, and hand a brief wake-up call to the confirmed Haisman Shield finalists.
Ultimately, the breakthrough came via Ethan Baxter, the Bloods bowler hurtling down a delivery to Hickford which was caught in the field by Zane Newbound.
Black would fall less than an over later to mark Katandra’s score at 2-56, before Talon Wilson fell for three, with the Eagles suddenly at 3-65 and the Bloods surging with momentum.
Benjamin Pedretti and Hadleigh Sirett would steady the ship though, combining for a 57-run partnership.
While Pedretti would fall victim at a similar score to openers Hickford and Black, Sirett would go on to raise the bat at 50, although he was dismissed shortly after by Bailey Simpson.
There was minimal resistance for the Eagles’ tail following Sirett’s wicket, with the Bloods swooping through at both ends of the pitch with a range of bowlers to have Katandra all out for 188.
Katandra batter Hadleigh Sirett plays a low cut shot.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Karramomus bowler Declan Newbound flashes a wry smile.
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Megan Fisher
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Karramomus bowler Bailey Simpson celebrates his wicket.
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Megan Fisher
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The vibes were high for confirmed finalists Karramomus.
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Megan Fisher
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Katandra batter Benjamin Pedretti holds the follow through with composure.
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Megan Fisher
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Katandra on the sidelines applaud Hadleigh Sirett's fifty.
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Megan Fisher
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Katandra batter Benjamin Pedretti swings to the off side.
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Megan Fisher
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Katandra batter Benjamin Pedretti and Hadleigh Sirett chat strategy in the middle.
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Megan Fisher
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Karramomus fielders Lachie Keady and Declan Newbound jump for joy after a catch.
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Megan Fisher
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Karramomus bowler Declan Newbound leaps in with a head full of steam.
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Megan Fisher
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Karramomus bowler Bailey Simpson lets it go at the highest point.
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Megan Fisher
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Karramomus was buzzing with energy in the field.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Baxter led the bowling with 3-19, but notably the Bloods had seven individual wicket-takers, taking critical form with the ball into finals.
Karramomus was then afforded nine overs with the stick in hand, narrowly missing out on surviving to stumps without loss.
In-form opener Mitchell McGrath picked up where he left off with three boundaries in the nine overs, getting to 17 not out at the end of day’s play, while Zavier Davidson smoked a six in the fourth over to place pressure on the Eagles.
It forced a change in bowlers, but Davidson would falter in the final over of play to kept-on opening bowler Hickford, who bowled Davidson through the gate.
Shane Smith would secure dots across the final two balls to send Karramomus into day two with a strong position, despite Davidson’s exit, at 1-31.
The Bloods require 158 runs on day two to further solidify its ranking in the top six, while a turn of the tide with ball could see Katandra finish the season as high as eighth should it defeat Karramomus next weekend.
THE GAME SO FAR
Katandra 188 (Hadleigh Sirett 50, Ben Pedretti 32, Ethan Baxter 3-19) lead Karramomus 1-31 (Mitchell McGrath 17 not out, Zavier Davidson 14, Corey Hickford 1-15)
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