Plenty on the line beyond Haisman Shield in Cricket Shepparton’s lower grades

The Clyde Young Shield sits atop the ‘‘best of the rest’’, pitting Central Park-St Brendan’s against Kyabram at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve in a two-day clash.

Central Park started the campaign like a house on fire, chasing at a canter after its bowlers tore through their foes, which made games a formality much similar to many A-grade Tiger victories this season.

The Jack Hooper-led side overcame obstacles such as a disappointing display of batting against Mooroopna in week one of finals with a roaring 8-257 against Pine Lodge in last weekend’s semi, led by Ethan Beck (64 not out) and Andrew Boyington (61).

Tigers coach Tyler Larkin says the feeling is good at Central Park.

“The boys are very up and about, to be honest,” Larkin said.

“They’ve had two big wins in the last couple of weeks. Mooroopna and Pine Lodge are both B-grade powerhouses, so they feel the momentum.

“(The contrasting scores) are probably a tale of the wickets; the John Gray one wasn’t good from all reports, but the Mooroopna main one was a belter.

"It’s going to take an all-round performance; B-grade playing 100 overs hasn’t happened in a few years, so the side that can bat for longer will probably win.

“You don’t win grand finals unless you bowl teams out, so hopefully the boys can do that.”

Kyabram pulled a rabbit out of the hat in its semi-final, knocking over Mooroopna by five runs after putting up 106, only to ride Connor McLeod’s sterling display with the ball to nab an unlikely win.

The Redbacks’ reward is a chance to seal the shield title on the Cats’ own ground — which will be plenty busy, given the CFA State Championships set for the same venue this weekend.

Kyabram’s B-grade bowling has been on song all season, having held its opponents to double-figure innings totals no fewer than six times in season 2023-24.

It was no contest when these sides last met in round seven, though, with Kyabram’s two Jasons — Leocata (68) and captain Parsons (98) — shouldering the load to steer their side to 219.

Leading by example, Parsons would nick 3-10 off 11 miserly overs (seven maidens) in holding the Tigers to 125 for a highly comfortable win.

Looking at the Jim McGregor Shield, Invergordon is a familiar face on the final day as it gears up to shoot for a third consecutive flag.

Invergordon meets Undera at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve for a one-day decider on Saturday, with Aaryn Cormican seeking three-time consecutive premiership captain status.

Undera constrained Karramomus livewire Travis Guppy brilliantly in its semi-final to scrape out a victory, while Invergordon exacted revenge on Northerners in the other semi.

While the senior season did not go to plan for Old Students, their S J Perry Shield contingent looks to add to a trophy cabinet that includes the Lower-grade T20 title.

Standing in their way is Tatura, which snuffed out Numurkah’s last shot at silverware in a gritty semi-final, while Old Students punched their ticket with ease at Pine Lodge’s expense.

Speaking of Tatura, Howley Oval sets the stage to decide the Whitelock Shield, though its home tenant won’t participate.

Nagambie and Katandra will duke it out for the E-grade title, with the two sides splitting their two meetings in the regular season.

The Eagles will feel primed to take a serious crack after keeping a clean sheet in chasing down Kyabram’s 122 to breeze through their semi last week, while Nagambie had to work much harder in holding Waaia at bay.