The Mooroopna and Waaia rivalry has been an entertaining watch over the past few seasons with plenty of memorable moments occurring when these two proud cricket clubs have met.
In the final round of the home-and-away Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield season, Mooroopna has the opportunity to deny Waaia a spot in the finals series.
While the Cats languish down in 10th place, the Bombers sit in fourth but could slip out of the top six if they lose this round 13 clash.
Mooroopna won the toss at Waaia Recreation Reserve and elected to bat in the two-day fixture on Saturday.
The Bombers' usual suspects Jesse and Will Trower were dangerous with the new ball early but failed to make inroads into the Cats' line-up.
Opening batter Joel May continued his fine summer with another 50 as he struck 75 runs from 126 balls (13 boundaries).
It was May’s fourth and largest half-century of the season and partnered import Ethan Baker’s innings perfectly.
Baker produced his finest performance with the bat this summer as he made a classy 89 runs from 142 balls.
The innings featured four boundaries and three sixes as the young gun got to raise the bat for the first time in senior cricket.
Mooroopna player-coach Henry Barrow said he was proud of how his fellow Englishman performed with the willow.
“(Baker) was awesome yesterday, without question he deserved a 100,” Barrow said.
“Even some of the better shots he was playing picked out fielders in the covers.
“It was great to see him pick up some form, and he has been great for us this year anyway, it was just nice to see him push on and make that bigger score yesterday.”
The pair of May and Baker were unflappable as they forged a 152-run partnership to lead Mooroopna to a powerful position heading into day two.
Barrow said the duo did well to avoid the dangers of Waaia’s bowling attack early in the innings.
“It was a good batting track but there was enough there with the new ball,” he said.
“The boys did well seeing off Jesse Trower, obviously we know how quality their opening bowling attack is with both Jesse and Will and they were doing plenty with it.
“We had a bit of fortune for probably one for the first times this year to be honest.“
Liam Evans (5-54 from 27 overs) continued his form with ball in hand as the tricky leggy worked his magic on the Bombers' home deck.
After May and Baker departed (both caught and bowled by Evans), Mooroopna’s batting began to fall away.
Waaia’s Jordan Cleeland also chipped in with a handy 4-66 from 23 overs.
The Cats were eventually bowled out for 238.
THE GAME SO FAR
Mooroopna 238 (Ethan Baker 89, Joel May 75, Liam Evans 5-54) leads Waaia (yet to bat)
Although the visitors arguably left some runs out on the pitch given their strong start, Barrow said he was confident his players could rain on the Bombers' finals hopes next Saturday.
“We have defended totals really well this year as our bowling attack has stood up for the majority of the year,” he said.
“One of the big positives we can take from the year is our all-round bowling performances.
“When you get to this point in the season and your own finals aspirations have come to an end it is really about trying to spoil the party for everybody else.
“We are trying to win as many games as we can, if that puts a dent in their finals hopes then so be it.”
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