Tatura and Numurkah provide a Haisman Shield finish for the ages

It’s safe to say the ladder added another pulsating layer to set the stage for an unpredictable run-in and, as this Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield affair picked up on day two, there was no better word to describe it.

You could hardly tell what was coming next as the home side picked up the bats trailing by 180 after a promising start to its chase in the dying stages of day one.

Riley Dawson set out on an early mission, dismissing import Matthew West swiftly after he had fired up to open the innings.

Nightwatchman Chaz Cheatley remained steely and steady on his feet as he found the rope three times, but held firm for just nine runs from the other 97 balls he faced, allowing Coombs to do as he pleased in a 53-run stand.

Bailey Smith eventually took care of day one’s business by claiming Cheatley’s wicket, but it only unlocked further misery in welcoming Blake Armstrong to the action.

The younger of the two Armstrong brothers had started this season like a house on fire and, with the coach at the other end, reclaimed some of his best stuff as each would raise the bat.

The pair added another 79 together and even when Coombs finally fell to Cline on 61, Tatura was beyond in control at 3-163.

Boy oh boy, were the Blues not yet beaten.

Josh Macansh’s stay in the middle lasted all of three balls as Matt Cline took his second, while skipper Jayden Armstrong went one fewer.

Danger signs were in full effect for Tatura, with alarming memories of the staggering near-miss against Karramomus where a double-figure run chase became a nail-biter.

Blake Armstrong’s frenzy came undone with his side 12 runs from victory, but of course, there were more twists yet to come.

Picture this: with Tatura two runs from victory bearing wickets in hand, Gino Saracino sticks the looping catch to dismiss Nic Watt.

Baxter Plunkett strides to the crease to face one ball left in the over, hoping to survive with Mat Macansh at the other end — but Smith blows up his stumps immediately.

Darcy Brewer inserts at the non-striker’s end with Macansh left to be the hero. How do you figure this one ends?

Why, leg byes, of course.

A football-esque backheel flick to the rope would bring home the points in the tensest of circumstances, Tatura escaping another near-catastrophe and maintaining top spot.

Coombs would very much appreciate less stress on the heart in these situations, but gladly takes the results as they come.

“Being where we were at three down, we should have been more convincing,” Coombs said.

“Just making sure we get over the line for the win and the six points was very important.

“There’s always pressure and we’re still a pretty young side, but we’ve had games like Waaia where we were seven down with 30 runs to win and got there.

“We’d like to do more of a professional job if we’re in that situation again.”

With his and Blake Armstrong’s handiwork laying the foundations, there’s no better time for Coombs’ men to summon the self-belief than with the juggernaut that is Kyabram waiting in a one-dayer up next.

“The partnership we had took the game to us,” Coombs said.

“The momentum before tea where we scored quite quickly swayed the game our way.

“He scores quickly every week, so it’s enjoyable to bat alongside him.

“I think we’ll just stick to the way we’ve played cricket so far this year (against Kyabram).

“They’re probably expected to win on paper, so we’ll stick to our plans, hopefully push them close and see how we go.”