For the fourth time in little over two years, Katandra has raised a Cricket Shepparton A-grade trophy.
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The Eagles added another Chris Keady Trophy to the 2017-18 One Day Final crown with a seven-wicket win over Numurkah yesterday, the fresh silverware also joining the 2017-18 Haisman Shield and last season's Aiden Blizzard Trophy in the cabinet at Katandra Recreation Reserve.
Yesterday's decider at the Numurkah Showgrounds seemed to meander along at times after the visitors did plenty of damage early, reducing the Blues to 3-22 after Liam Gledhill had won the toss and elected to bat.
The home side rallied through Dylan Grandell (59 from 110 deliveries), Michael Eckard (18 from 41) and Gledhill (17 from 54) to put on consecutive partnerships worth 45 runs, but the outfit's final six wickets fell for just 24 runs as the Eagles once again took control.
With 137 the target for victory Katandra took its time in the chase, losing Ben Clurey to a circumspect three from 17 balls before Brady Black (21 from 41) and Andrew Riordan (42 from 57) got the bulk of the chasing out of the way.
It left Eagles’ skipper Jedd Wright (45 not out from 44) and brother Sam (22 not out from 59) to steer their side to victory in the 36th over of proceedings, adding a special touch to the latest Katandra premiership - with fellow sibling Joe also involved in the win.
“It's not very often that we get to play together so when we do it's always good to make the most of it,” Wright said.
“Over the years we've had some pretty good partnerships.”
The Eagles have now played off for ultimate glory seven times since the 2016-17 Haisman Shield decider against Old Students, tipping the ledger in their favour with yesterday's triumph.
“We've probably lost more than we've won (it feels), so it's always good to get one back,” Wright said.
“I thought we put in a pretty complete effort today with bat and ball.
“We put partnerships together at the top and it was the difference, once you're two or three down for not many it makes it hard to get some momentum going.
“Everyone as a group bowled really well today as well.”
Wright also felt the overall depth of his club deserved some plaudits for the A-grade team's success.
“It's fantastic to have A and B and even E-grade doing really well,” he said.
“It makes a big difference and it's something we look at with club sustainability, you need depth and you need players willing to play down the grades to try and earn a spot and I think that showed with our consistent performance today.”
Riordan snared the Rohan Larkin Medal as best player on the field in the final - awarded by central umpires David Chaston and Abas Ali - adding 1-19 from seven overs with the ball and a run-out to his batting exploits.
Hadleigh Sirett (2-19), Wright (2-24), Corey Hickford (1-14 from six overs) and Luke Patel (1-14 from 6.4) also took rewards for the Eagles with ball in hand, while for the Blues it was Mitch Grandell (1-17), Shaun Downie (1-28) and Matt Cline (1-30) who made inroads into the Katandra batting line-up.
The past three deciders Numurkah has made have pitted the side against Katandra, with results alternating each time.
It means the Eagles now take a 2-1 lead in a recent grand final rivalry, which is only growing fiercer by the contest, and could be on a collision course to heat up again in the coming weeks.
● For reports on the thrilling B and C-grade One Day finals, see tomorrow's News.
THE GAME
Numurkah 136 (Dylan Grandell 59, Michael Eckard 18, Liam Gledhill 17, Hadleigh Sirett 2-19, Jedd Wright 2-24) lt Katandra 3-139 (Jedd Wright 45 not out, Andrew Riordan 42, Sam Wright 22 not out, Brady Black 21, Mitch Grandell 1-17).
ROHAN LARKIN MEDAL
Andrew Riordan (Katandra): Riordan was named best afield in the decider by umpires David Chaston and Abas Ali due to his all-round efforts. The tweaker snared 1-19 from seven overs before hitting 42 from 57 deliveries in the chase, just edging captain Jedd Wright (2-24 and 45 not out) for the gong.
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