Mooroopna drops penultimate match and loses grip on minor premiership in Haisman Shield

By Rodney Woods

Feb 28, 2021

Mooroopna has fallen from the top of the Haisman Shield ladder after losing to fellow finals contender Northerners on Saturday.

The Cats won the toss and elected to bat and quickly found themselves in strife as they fell to 2-9.

Wickets kept on tumbling and at 7-65, the final total of 8-143 looked like a dream.

Enter number 10 batsman Luke Zanchetta.

Zanchetta hit 55 not out, featuring five fours and a six, to give his side something to bowl at.

Grant Hutchins gave nothing away easily, bowling his nine overs, which cost just five runs.

Hutchins’ figures also included two scalps and seven maidens for the visitors.

In reply, Joel and Mitch Brett steadied the ship, with Joel finishing on 88 and Mitch not out on 43 as Northerners compiled 4-144 to take a six-wicket win.

Northerners coach Steve Allen said it was great to see his team building momentum heading into the final round.

“Obviously, it was a good win for us the game previously and to take that form into a game against the top side was a very pleasing result,” Allen said.

"In the end it may appear easy, but the first couple of overs by Mooroopna's bowlers were fairly handy.

“To Mitchell and Joel's credit they put on over a hundred.

“Joel was slow to get away, but once he got going it was a very impressive 88.”

Allen said the disciplined bowling effort was the key to the victory and the batsmen did the rest.

“I thought we bowled really well early,” he said.

“That put the pressure on them.

“They did well to get 143 at the end of the innings, but we still restricted them to a score below what they would have wanted.

“We were able to score quickly, which made it more difficult for Mooroopna.”

The bonus-point win has Northerners sitting in fifth spot, three points behind Mooroopna (fourth) and Kyabram (third).

Northerners take on Karramomus and Mooroopna faces Central Park-St Brendan's in the final round before finals.

THE GAME

Mooroopna 8-143 (Luke Zanchetta 55, Grant Hutchins 2-5) lt Northerners 4-144 (Joel Brett 88, Mitchell Brett 43 not out)

STAR PLAYER

Joel Brett (Northerners): Joel Brett steadied the ship in the chase and posted 88 to see his team home. Brett's 1-21 off nine overs was also instrumental in the upset win.