Gallery | Katandra pulls off extraordinary 22-run win in dramatic Haisman Shield grand final

Central Park-St Brendan’s had the match in the palm of its hands at 2-58 after 15 overs, but a horror batting collapse had the match end no more than 16 overs and 51 runs later.

Katandra — led by future star Billy Holmes (3-11), recent Lightfoot medallist Jedd Wright (3-18) and fierce competitor Hadleigh Sirett (2-28) — grew in belief and confidence at each dismissal, which came in quick succession.

The Tigers’ experience in Andrew Cowen (26 runs), playing coach Tyler Larkin (18) and club legend Ramadan Yze (19 not out) looked destined to guide the side to victory after a brilliant and attacking start to the innings.

But once the door opened slightly for Katandra following Larkin’s momentum shifting dismissal — doubt crept into the minds of the chasing Tigers.

Even after Cowen’s departure 14 deliveries later, the club with 11 Haisman Shield titles to its name since the turn of the millennium looked firmly in the box seat to add to its remarkable success.

It wasn’t until when Holmes caught the edge of Connor Holland’s bat that the unbelievable collapse began.

Central Park-St Brendan’s would go on to lose its next six wickets for a staggering 28 runs.

When 15-year-old young gun Max Hooper, who enjoyed a sublime bowling performance, knicked behind off a Wright wrong-un it ushered in scenes that will never be forgotten.

Katandra supporters stormed the oval to join in the celebration with their heroes on the pitch.

Katandra’s community, which had been rocked by the death of Clayton Simpson no more than 13 days earlier, came together in an emotional moment filled with excitement, sadness and celebration.

“When that last wicket fell it was pretty soon people from the community ran out onto the ground, there was lots of smiles, lots of tears and lots of emotions,” Katandra captain Ben Clurey said.

“I can’t put words to it, it was awesome ... yeah, there was certainly a couple of nervous moments out there definitely.

“When Tyler and Andrew were in, I was sort of scratching my head thinking ‘gee, what’s going to happen here’, but fortunately ‘Horse’ (Hadleigh Sirett) produced something special and then Billy produced a few wickets and then it started to roll and we got a sniff.

“We kept the pressure up which we had discussed all week. It makes a massive difference because conditions out here were fabulous for batting.”

The game continued what has become a recent run of thrilling Cricket Shepparton A-grade grand finals — with the past three finals now decided by one wicket, four runs and 22 runs, respectively.

It started with Katandra’s poor showing with the bat in windy and hot conditions against a Tigers outfit that did everything right with the ball.

Yze (2-23) was consistent and had the ball in the perfect area each time, while Dwain Vidler (2-23) and Hooper (2-24) provided quality assistance.

Spinner Jarrod Wakeling (3-23) suffocated and tied up one end to be the standout bowler for the Tigers.

Katandra star bat Andrew Riordan top-scored with 31 runs, while Wright stuck around for 25.

“It was rare territory to be honest with you,” Clurey said of his side’s batting woes.

“We’d batted exceptionally all year ... our batting sort of faltered a little bit, but well done to Central Park their bowling and fielding was A-plus,” he said.

“They didn’t give you anything; they did a fantastic job of bowling to their fields and it was hard to score runs.”

Despite the disappointing efforts with the bat, Katandra’s ability to work its way back into the contest overshadowed the earlier efforts.

Opening tearaway quick Corey Hickford (1-15) gave his club a crucial and important fiery spell and any other day he could have ended with another two or three scalps.

Sirett’s game-changing spell, where his white-line fever almost boiled over, gave his teammates the spark they were desperately after.

Holmes enjoyed undoubtedly his break-out game on the biggest stage, while Wright’s work to dismiss Vidler broke the camel’s back and exposed his next two victims.

The proud Katandra skipper spoke highly of his side’s three standouts with the ball.

“We’ll always get stuck into him (Hadleigh) about bowling a few wides and bowling a few loose balls, but you take the good with the bad because his good is exceptional,” Clurey said.

“He’s a genuine wicket-taker, so you take the good with the bad.

“(Billy) was fabulous. He pitched the ball up which was exactly what I had asked, hoped and expected. His three wickets were huge and I loved the little bit of celebration after each wicket.

“Jedd has a terrific track record against lower-order batters and I guess that’s his craft as a spin bowler. The pressure he applies and the variation he has got he’s very hard to score against.”