Haisman Shield | Gallery | Clinical Cats put Bombers to the sword in semi-final rout

Back in the Haisman Shield decider for the second time in as many years, Mooroopna coach Luke Zanchetta said excitement was high throughout his team after dismantling the competition’s minor premier.

“It is an awesome feeling (to be back in the grand final), this year we have probably done it a bit harder having lost a few more games throughout the year, but when it has really mattered over the last month, I feel our cricket has been unbelievable,” Zanchetta said.

“Peaking at the right time is so important in this competition and I feel we have really done that this year, getting wins over Nagambie and Waaia in back-to-back weeks does give us a lot of confidence — but we also understand that it is a one-dayer and anything can happen.”

Winning the toss and batting first, Zanchetta and the Mooroopna brainstrust put the pressure on the top six to deliver a fast start.

Faced with the arguably the competition’s most accomplished attack, openers Jac Smith-Williams (32) and Brodie McDonald (23) took it to Waaia early with a pivotal 47-run stand, before the recently promoted Paul McDonald came in and anchored the innings with a superb 42.

Zanchetta said he was incredibly proud of how the batters attacked the first innings.

‘’A few weeks ago, we really put it on our top five to really go on and get big scores and over the past month they have been outstanding, in stages individuals had done it, but now they are starting to perform together which makes our job as bowlers a lot easier,” he said.

“I’m not sure if any side has hit over 160 against Waaia this season, so to do that in the semi-final and, most importantly, have guys come up from B-grade like Paul McDonald and perform it gives us lots of confidence that on our day we are a very hard team to beat.”

A late collapse of 6-28 would give the Bombers some hope heading into the chase, with a target of 172 standing between them and another trip to the grand final.

Enter Dundon.

Bowling in partnership with Zanchetta, the quick made the key early breakthrough of Liam Evans before sending Sam Trower on his way to have Waaia in a world of trouble at 2-11.

Captain Brayden Carey (26) and Luke Quinn (25) did their best to try and turn the tide, but the Cats’ bowlers were out for blood, taking consistent wickets en route to bowling the Bombers out for 109.

“Will Dundon bowled absolutely beautifully, he got Evans with an unplayable delivery and when you do that to their best bat it gives you a massive leg up,” Zanchetta said.

“Jake Wright then came on and bowled fast to get two wickets and it just snowballed from there, our spinners bowled well and we fielded well, so it was great to put in such a well-rounded performance heading into grand final.”