Haisman Shield ǀ Blues bolster finals hopes with triumph over Tatura

After electing to bat first on his home track, Blues skipper Dylan Grandell (19) looked to assume control of the game in the early stages, forging an opening partnership with Jordan O'Dwyer (27) which resulted in a cool 52 runs on the board before the visitors had a say in the day’s proceedings.

Tatura coach Daniel Coombs took it upon himself to drag his side into the game, dismissing the dangerous Grandell before sending O’Dwyer packing two overs later.

However, what quickly became evident was how deep the Blues can bat, with Michael Eckard entering to produce 26, before the experienced Liam Gledhill (34) and James Pruden (24) combined to guide their side to 171.

The best was yet to come for Numurkah, and Gledhill (4-41) in particular, who kept batters guessing with some fine bowling through the middle of the innings.

A valiant top order stand from Coombs (66) kept Tatura in the hunt, raising the bat to mark his second half-ton this season.

Rajvir Singh compiled a handy 32, before he and Coombs were stumped by Numurkah keeper Matthew Price off Gledhill’s bowling.

The Blues did what they do best from there, with Eckard (4-27), Gledhill and co applying the pressure to the middle to lower order, slowly dragging the game away from Tatura’s batters to ultimately seal their fourth win on the spin.

Numurkah heads to Nagambie this weekend in the penultimate fixture before finals; the Blues now well-placed for a top four finish.