Waaia has secured its place in finals after spending the majority of the season outside the top six.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The Bombers looked out of fuel, but now they have soared into finals.
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It wasn’t the prettiest of wins against Nagambie, but Waaia has comfortably put the required runs on the board to defeat the Lakers by three wickets with 26 overs remaining and stunningly secure a top six spot.
The stakes were simple, yet giant, for Waaia heading into day two of the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield’s last round - win, and you’re in.
The reigning premiers have been moulded by pressure moments though, and in another high pressure situation, the men in red and black withstood a Lakers barrage.
Nagambie made its case to eliminate Waaia from finals contention, and after a minor dig into the run chase by the Bombers, tallying an extra nine runs from its day one score of 2-32, the scoring pressure extracted Jamie Riley’s wicket, with the number four bat caught in the field for a 17-ball duck.
Nagambie’s tight bowling lines continued to haunt Waaia on day two, as Laker James Lloyd (4-34) ripped through the top order.
Skipper Mitchell Cleeland (four) and opener Jordan Cleeland (31) departed in quick succession, before import Brandon Diplock failed with the willow too, walking to the sheds for six.
Another duck, this time for middle order bat Kaleb Gilmour, and the Bombers low target to chase was becoming a mountain to climb, Waaia positioned at 7-72, requiring 46 runs for victory with only three wickets remaining.
Waaia's Jordan Cleeland and Brandon Diplock hustle between the wickets.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Waaia's Jordan Cleeland blocks the ball.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Nagambie's Zac Winter-Irving sends the ball back to the bowler.
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Rechelle Zammit
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Waaia's Brandon Diplock is called to run a second.
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Rechelle Zammit
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Nagambie's Zac Winter-Irving stands at cover.
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Rechelle Zammit
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Nagambie's Jonathan Moore rolls the arm over.
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Rechelle Zammit
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Waaia's Brandon Diplock keeps out the Kookaburra.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Nagambie's Mark Nolan takes the pill at the top of his mark.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
However, that was where Nagambie’s nastiness with the Kookaburra ended, and where Waaia began to work its magic with the stick.
Waaia’s Bailey Smith played with the poise of his AFL namesake, punching a handful of boundaries in between picking gaps to reach 36 not out, while Sam Trower delivered an unbeaten 22 off 26 balls to motor Waaia towards its target score.
The Bombers teetered on the edge of uncertainty momentarily, but the revival from Smith and Trower ensured the bowling attack’s work on day one had not gone to waste, with Trower hitting the winning runs to the fence at the end of the 44th over.
Fortunately for Nagambie, Tatura’s loss to Kyabram means the Lakers have not forfeited their finals position, sliding to sixth and will face the latter in week one of this year’s finals series.
Waaia’s triumph has boosted the Bombers from seventh to fifth, securing a finals lifeline on the last day of the season, and will play Central Park-St Brendan’s, a club the Bombers have the wood over this season after a one day win in round three, setting up a mouthwatering clash.
THE GAME
Nagambie 117 (Zac Winter-Irving 52, Will Trower 5-24, Jordan Cleeland 3-31) def. by Waaia 7-123 (Bailey Smith 36 not out, Jordan Cleeland 31, James Lloyd 4-34)
STAR PLAYER:
Will Trower (Waaia): Trower’s five-for on day one skittled Nagambie for an undefendable total, and while the Lakers were valiant in defeat, Trower’s wicket-taking ability helped the Bombers bolt into the top six, keeping their title defence alive.
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