Haisman Shield | Numurkah on top against Tatura

STAR PLAYER

Will Arnel (Numurkah): Having made nine runs at 2.3 in his past four digs, it's fair to say Arnel would have been keen for a score. Laid the foundation of the innings, with Gledhill able to kick on late.

Numurkah will enter Haisman Shield finals full of confidence after a dominant day with the bat against Tatura on Saturday.

As they would have expected to do against the league's bottom-ranked side, the Blues took complete control against the Bulldogs by smacking 8-232 from their 80 overs in their final hit-out before the post-season.

But while the end score was strong, it was not always easy for the Blues as they struggled to get things going early, with in-form Dylan Grandell dismissed early for three.

Tatura also found the wickets of Matt Price (20) and Shaun Downie (seven), but by that stage opener Will Arnel had found form and kept the runs ticking over.

Michael Archer found the vital wicket of Michael Eckard (11) to make it 4-96, but Arnel kept pushing and passed the half-century mark before he was dismissed for 58.

But the Blues reaped the benefits of their alarming batting depth, with No. 7 batsman and captain Liam Gledhill able to take over from Arnel after his departure, smacking 52 off 79 as Numurkah built a big score.

Tim Braybon (28 not out) and Matt Cline (19 not out) smashed late runs in adding 32 for the final wicket before the 80 overs were up.

Bailey Archer and Michael Archer each finished with two wickets for the Bulldogs as they search for their first win of the season.