Gallery | Waaia’s prodigal son comes home to blast Bombers into a home final with knock against Mooroopna

The Waaia opener, having missed all of the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield season due to footy commitments in the Top End, chose Saturday’s final regular season round to turn up and turn it on.

With the Bombers staring down a target of 239 to win after Mooroopna’s blazing display with the bat on day one, Trower crafted 85 runs from a 50-over stand in the middle to lift Waaia to a five-wicket win.

“It was a tricky game; we probably battled a little bit early with the ball, and they got to a stage where I think it was about 1-170 and things looked pretty bleak for us,” Waaia skipper Mitch Cleeland said.

“But we were lucky we were able to pin it back through the spinners and restrict to 240 on a pitch we thought we were lucky to keep them to that.

“This week, it was nice to go out and apply ourselves properly with the bat and chase down a good score.

“We’re extremely happy with the win and confident heading into finals.”

Saturday’s victory secured Waaia a home final against Kyabram and, given the Redbacks’ bowling prowess, it’s a handy thing that Cleeland’s side got plenty of runs banked at the weekend.

However, the chase got off to a sour start when Henry Barrow sent Damien Atkins packing for seven before Trower and Brayden Carey could get motoring.

The latter raised his bat for a well-made 50 and, though he found Ethan Baker’s hands two balls later, at 2-120, Waaia was well and truly out of the woods.

Trower also made way, closing his account on 85 before both Cleelands — Jordan and Mitch — kept the run rate ticking with a pair of 24-run quick fire innings.

Lastly, Liam Evans conjured some bruising middle order hitting with a rapid 40-not out off 18 balls to win the match, earning praise from his captain alongside Trower.

“It’s certainly nice to have Sam back and it’s a great way to re-enter into the A-grade system — he batted really well,” Cleeland said.

“It’s nice to have Liam find a bit of form at the right time of year.

“Liam got five wickets as well last week, so you’d probably say he was the standout player of the match, but we were happy with everyone’s contributions across the board and that’s something we’re going to rely on moving forward as well.”

So, with a home final in waiting and players in pink touch, is Waaia the favourite against Kyabram or not?

There are arguments for both points.

Waaia heads in on a high while the Redbacks succumbed to Central Park-St Brendan’s at the weekend, though after Kyabram rolled the Bombers for 126 when the two sides last met, Cleeland is on red alert ahead of the weekend.

“They’re obviously a really good side; they’ve done it from wherever it was last year, fifth or sixth, so there’s no denying they’re going to be a really quality side and extremely hard to beat,” he said.

“Even though it is at home, that’s much of a muchness I think.

“When we played them at home during the season they wiped the floor with us, so we’re extremely aware of how strong they can be and wary of the players they possess.

“Hopefully we can contain that and find a way to get across the line and keep moving forward.”