Gallery | Karramomus comes up trumps to clinch Cricket Shepparton A-grade T20 title
Karramomus has wasted no time making a statement in the first hit out of the Cricket Shepparton season.
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The Bloods entered the A-grade T20 tournament as a long-shot, and even when they reached the grand final at Kialla Park Reserve, few likely tipped them to challenge a powerhouse Central Park-St Brendan’s side.
But as the sun dipped low on Sunday, there was no mistaking who the best team on the park was.
The Bloods powered to a 45 run win over the Tigers courtesy of a powerhouse batting performance, leaving newly anointed captain Nathan Jones stoked with his start to life at the wheel.
“It’s good to win - a nice little bit of self-belief. We have been building over the last couple of years, and Mitch McGrath’s done a fantastic job,” Jones said.
“He stepped aside this year just to focus a bit more on his cricket, but to have that little bit of belief, a little bit of resilience, and have a little bit of fire in the belly to want to succeed — and succeed at a higher level — that’s what we’re chasing.
“Fingers crossed that we can keep it going for the rest of the year.”
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Karramomus’ Ethan Baxter was bestowed best on ground honours for a sizzling 77-run knock. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 12
CPStB wicket keeper Nate Earl leaps to claim a stray ball. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 12
Karramomus batter Zavier Davidson admires a shot down the on side. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 12
CPStB fielder Ramadan Yze rips one at the stumps. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 12
Karramomus’ Zavier Davidson premeditates a block. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 12
CPStB’s Brendan Scott warms up the bowling arm. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 12
CPStB wicket keeper Nate Earl keeps Karramomus’ Zavier Davidson honest. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 12
SYCU’s Jake Kellow sees his bails go flying. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 12
Kyabram’s Jackson McLay leads the line for his side. Photo by Megan FisherImage 10 of 12
SYCU’s Rayyan Mirza blocks with conviction. Photo by Megan FisherImage 11 of 12
Kyabram bowler Mason McDonald snared four wickets against SYCU. Photo by Megan FisherImage 12 of 12
SYCU’s Fahad Mirza launches a shot towards the ropes. Photo by Megan FisherBatting first, Karramomus got off to a dream start thanks to a dominant opening stand from debutant Ethan Baxter and partner Zavier Davidson.
The pair piled on 120 for the first wicket, with Baxter — facing his former club — cracking a commanding 77, while Davidson chimed in with 49 in a partnership that had the Tigers chasing white leather from ball one.
The scoreboard read 3-162 at the inning’s close, and from there the Bloods’ bowlers did the rest.
Central Park-St Brendan’s began their chase steadily enough, with opener Jack McCarten (28) showing glimpses of control and Nate Earl (26 not out) holding firm in the middle.
But the wickets kept falling, the run rate kept climbing, and the Tigers’ hopes of a comeback quickly faded.
Lachie Keady proved the difference with ball in hand, finishing with figures of 3-28 in a composed display that sealed a 45-run win — and Karramomus’ first silverware in quite some time.
Baxter’s return to haunt his old teammates capped off a day to remember, his best-on-ground effort setting the tone for what could be a defining summer in red.
“He’s a little bit disappointed he missed out the last three hits, but we talk about every fourth hit — we start to cash in,” Jones said.
“And today that was his fourth hit and he cashed in. He made the most of it; he didn’t give a chance.
“He and Zav (Davidson) set the game up with the opening partnership — that’s where it all starts, at the top.”
Prior to Sunday’s grand final, Saturday saw the first action of the A-grade season commence as the T20 tournament played out at various ovals around the region.
And if there was one team that made an immediate statement, it was Kyabram.
The Redbacks shaped up against Shepparton Youth Club United at Princess Park, restricting the combine to 8-128 before hunting down the target with two and a half overs to spare.
Youngster Mason McDonald returned impressive figures of 4-21, though it was Nicholas Chambers who snared the key wicket of Fahad Mirza (46 runs).
On the chase, the Kyle show took over.
Returning batter Kyle McKenzie blasted 45 off 23 balls before departing, with first drop Kyle Mueller belting an unbeaten 50 to lead the Redbacks to a five wicket win, capping off the innings with a classy maximum to get over the line.
Other first round matches saw Central Park-St Brendan’s upend Pine Lodge for a 22-run win, Stephen Barrett’s 70 off 58 steered Katandra to an eight wicket triumph over Numurkah while Old Students downed Nagambie by five wickets, led by a four-pole haul from new recruit Tiron Fernando.
Round two had Kyabram claim another scalp, this time McKenzie raising the bat as the Redbacks surpassed Tatura’s 7-97 total with five men left in the shed.
Central Park-St Brendan’s eked out a 10 run victory against Mooroopna while Waaia lost its first encounter despite Jesse Trower’s 4-16, falling at the hands of Katandra.
Nagambie got off the mark thanks to a sublime bowling performance by James Wilson, beating Karramomus by 24 runs - though the Bloods got their own back in round three.
Mitch McGrath’s 43 not out was crucial as Karramomus thrashed Old Students by 62 runs, helping his side punch a ticket to the semi-finals.
Mooroopna then got off the mark with an eight-wicket result over Pine Lodge thanks to Joel May’s half century, while SYCU’s new man Tyler Green also plundered a 50 to see the combine clinch a four-run win over Tatura.
The final action of Saturday had Numurkah host Waaia in a gritty affair, and after keeping the Blues pinned back at 7-97, the Bombers were able to chase down the runs with three wickets remaining.
In the semis, Central Park-St Brendan’s then scalped a 38 run win over Kyabram while Karramomus saw off Katrandra by 21 runs - and from there, the rest was history.