A resilient effort with the bat from teenager Josh Robertson and captain Sean Hemeter has steered Euroa to its highest score of the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield season.
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With backs against the wall and facing class opposition, the Euroa duo led its side to 9-229 from 80 overs in the round 12 contest against Shepparton United at Princess Park.
The pair combined for a 74-run partnership — Robertson (56) and Hemeter (47) — which has left the visitors in control after the opening day.
It was an important partnership considering the Magpies were 5-96 — on the verge of the tea break — and with the home side's Chaminda Vidanapathirana (3-49) and Kristian Veal (2-35) bowling superbly.
Hemeter said he was pleased with how his troops were able to rally together and post a competitive total.
“I was really happy with our performance, I think it is a very competitive score if we can bowl well,” he said.
“Especially after we were put in to bat and were really made to earn those runs.
“Our batsmen didn't push hard for runs, we went at about two an over, but it allowed us to attack in the final 40 overs.”
Euroa lost opening batsman Rodney Jones early in the contest for a duck which left fellow opener Declan Redfern (25) and first-drop Keiran Robertson (16) to stabilise the innings.
Sri Lankan import Mahesh Priyadarshana then came in and smoked four boundaries in his 25-run knock off 37 deliveries, but it was the Robertson and Hemeter combination that proved vital.
Robertson carved his maiden half-century in the Haisman Shield, scoring 56 off 131 balls showcasing patience and maturity at the crease.
Hemeter got the scoreboard ticking over quickly, with the captain's dazzling 47-run knock consisting of six boundaries and coming off 62 deliveries.
Hemeter's counterpart Dwain Vidler (3-64) was able to dismiss the two damaging batsmen, with Robertson departing the crease with Euroa on 207 and firmly in the box seat.
“Josh played a very sensible innings, he read the situation perfectly,” Hemeter said.
“I joined him when we were 5-90 odd and we ended up together until 170.
“Joshy was able to just milk the runs, didn't play a silly shot, while I was able to swing at the other end.
“I thought it was a very mature innings from him.”
THE GAME
Euroa 9-229 (Josh Robertson 56, Sean Hemeter 47, Declan Redfern 25, Dwain Vidler 3-42, Chaminda Vidanapathirana 3-49, Kristian Veal 2-35)
STAR PLAYER
Josh Robertson (Euroa): Teenage batting sensation Robertson scored his first half-century of the Haisman Shield season and it was against a strong bowling line-up. After two knocks of 44 in the Cricket Shepparton top-flight, Robertson finally broke through for his maiden half-century in what was a mature innings from the young wicketkeeper.
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