Victory would assure Tatura, sixth, a spot in finals – anything less, and they’ll be waiting nervously on the result of Nagambie and Waaia to see if the Lakers can do the Howley Oval natives a favour and fend off the seventh-placed Bombers.
But you can only control what’s happening in your own backyard – and with the Redbacks somewhat on the ropes at 5-90 at one stage, the hosts looked to be holding up their end of the bargain.
Kyabram’s Paul Parsons (35) and Billy McLay (29) had the Redbacks humming at 1-70 after the loss of Cade Mueller, but when Tatura needed him, skipper Armstrong stepped up.
Armstrong snuck a delivery through Parsons’ defence before claiming the prized wicket of Kyle Mueller, followed soon after by McLay whose 77-ball dig also ended in rattled stumps at the hands of Armstrong, who ended the day with figures of 4-76.
Brother Blake soon got in on the action with the scalp of Alec Young, and after 32 overs, proceedings were looking quite rosy for Tatura.
Enter the Kyabram middle order.
Jackson McLay and Lukas Hanslow were set the task of resurrecting the minor premiers’ innings, and they duly obliged, combining for a 97-run partnership that swung the momentum back towards the Redbacks.
McLay anchored the innings, raising the bat after more than 100 deliveries before Mat Macansh enticed the edge, while Hanslow’s brisk 47 off 52 came to an end at the hands of Baxter Plunkett in the same fashion.
The Redbacks were then carried past the 200 mark by Charlie McLay who, in combination with a cameo from Louis Sabbagh-Holt, whacked 44 not out off 43 deliveries to ensure Kyabram finished on 250 runs.
With eight overs to bowl at Tatura, the Redbacks ensured the job will be much harder for their opposition next week.
McLay added to his 50 runs with two big strikes with the ball, sending Plunkett back to the pavilion for a duck and luring Jess Petherick into a loose shot to leave Tatura 2-12 at stumps, Lachlan Magee and Dan Coombs set to resume next week still needing 239 runs for victory.
The Haisman Shield is set for a tense finish in the race for finals, and with three clubs still in contention, the question remains – can Tatura pull off a memorable win to book their place in the post-season?
THE GAME SO FAR
Kyabram 250 (Jackson McLay 50, Lukas Hanslow 47, Jayden Armstrong 4-76) lead Tatura 2-12 (Jackson McLay 2-2, Lachlan Magee 9 not out)
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