Cricket Shepparton B-grade wrap ǀ Gallery ǀ Green puts on show for United

By James Kleeman

Jan 23, 2022

Get around him: Nagambie’s James Brook celebrates a wicket. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

Clyde Young Shield action provided no shortage of entertainment at the weekend, with teams vying for a spot in what will be a narrow race for the top six.

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There could not be much more of a difference between Shepparton United’s A and B-grade sides; they occupy opposite ends of their respective ladders, with United’s B-grade outfit again asserting its dominance at the weekend.

A Connor Green clinic stole the show at Princess Park in United’s match-up with Euroa — his five-for helping topple Euroa for 97.

High elbow: Old Students’ Andre Gagliardi. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

Green wasn’t done there, however, and stepped in with the bat to help himself to 51 off 51, as United found the runs required after 18.5 overs.

Numurkah survived a scare in the form of Pine Lodge at Numurkah Showgrounds; the Blues managing to restrict the Lodgers enough to tighten their hold on second.

A strong Pine Lodge bowling attack effectively tore through Numurkah’s batting line-up, with only skipper Sean Dawson (32) and Riley Dawson (18) reaching double figures.

Keen eye: Nagambie’s Keenan Shepherd. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

Thirty-two extras provided Numurkah with some fortunate breathing space, as it eventually reached 126.

Nav Gill was cherry-ripe yet again, pocketing a trio of wickets to take his tally to 18 this season.

The Lodgers would fall an agonising six runs shy after 40.3 overs, Riley Dawson (4-31) spearheading the Blues’ bowling display.

Bails flying: Old Students’ Gerald Sabri is bowled by James Brook. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

Northerners beat out Katandra in commanding fashion at John Gray Oval, clinching a superb 10-wicket win.

Oliver Price propelled the Jets’ bowling brigade, picking up three wickets for 20 runs, with Jake Davidson (2-12) and Dallas Furnell also getting in on the action.

Captain Matt Hall (63) and Ben Pedretti (27) remained unbeaten to ease their side to 101 after 15.2 overs.

Letting loose: Old Students’ Travis Frost. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

Central Park-St Brendan’s hit a few out of the screws at Deakin Reserve, putting 210 on the scorecard for Waaia to chase.

It was a Tigers top-order masterclass, with the first six bats compiling 20 runs or more.

Matthew Collins played superbly to finish an agonising one run shy of his 50.

Full face: Ashton Young. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

The Bombers could not match the Tigers’ run-rate, with Andrew Butcher (2-17), Jack Hooper (2-24) and Ethan Beck (2-28) restricting Waaia’s bats to 153.

Terrific bowling was on display at Kialla Park, where Old Students overcame Nagambie in a thrilling contest.

A stuttering Students top-order was cleaned up quickly, with Nagambie captain William Ulrich letting the ball do the talking as he picked up four wickets while costing just 11 runs.

On song: Nagambie’s William Ulrich. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

Chasing 92, Ulrich opened the batting for the Lakers to compile 22, but could not find support around him, as they fell six runs short in the 30th over.

Students bowlers Gerald Sabri and Travis Frost picked up three wickets apiece to restrict the Nagambie batters to good effect.

Kyabram cruised above Karramomus into fifth, with an important win at Vibert Reserve which rounds out the winners’ list.