Gallery | Kyabram upsets Waaia to push through to second week of Haisman Shield finals

Away from home, Kyabram won the toss and elected to bat first at Waaia Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

Knowing they had to make early inroads into the Redbacks’ batting line-up, the Bombers started the first day’s play in good spirits and form.

When bat-swinging sensation Kyle Mueller departed for two runs thanks to a Mitch Cleeland delivery, celebrations erupted.

Kyabram fell to 3-25 and had to dig deep to wrangle back some of the momentum.

Seasoned veteran Paul Parsons came to the Redbacks’ aid, making a diligent 44 runs from 90 balls.

Lukas Hanslow was Kyabram’s other key contributor with the bat, also scoring 44.

Waaia’s Jesse Trower was up to his usual tricks as he got the Kookaburra ball to sing on his home deck.

Trower took 3-39 from 23 overs, including eight maidens.

While Cleeland was a factor with the ball (taking 2-26 from seven), it was his brother Jordan who stole the show in the field as he caused two out of the Bombers’ three run-outs for the day.

Waaia all-rounder Liam Evans had the ball spinning every which way, taking 2-43 from 24.5 overs.

Heading into the sheds at stumps Waaia was well on top, having bowled Kyabram out for 144.

However, the Bombers’ momentum didn’t last long as their wickets began to tumble on Sunday.

Kyabram roared back into the contest as the Redbacks’ bowlers brought the energy and wicket-taking guile to the crease.

As the scalps began to cascade, Waaia was left scrambling against the reigning premiers.

When Mitch Cleeland departed for two, the Bombers sat on 5-44 as anxiety began to roll into the Waaia dressing room.

Having been an assassin in the field the day prior, Jordan Cleeland became the enforcer with the willow on day two.

Waaia’s gun batter played without fear despite the do-or-die circumstances.

Cleeland belted Kyabram’s bowlers around the park as the start of his innings went at nearly a run-a-ball rate.

His batting partners were his biggest issue as none could stick around and support him.

When Evans departed for a duck, the score fell to 6-56 with the Bombers still trailing by 88 runs.

Despite the fact there was about 75 per cent of the overs remaining, Waaia looked to be running out of time as Kyabram secured a tight stranglehold on its opponent.

The Bombers battled through to tea seven wickets down and trailing by 52, with the Redbacks baying for blood.

After the break, Kyabram made light work of Waaia’s tail, securing the last three wickets for three runs.

Redbacks coach Jackson McLay said after the game that he had remained confident heading into day two that his side would secure victory, despite a low first innings total.

“We would have liked a few more runs on the board, but in a final you always back yourself with runs on the board,” McLay said.

“One hundred and forty-odd is a tricky chase, no doubt (Waaia) would have steamrolled it in the season, but finals pressure plays a few mind games.

“I thought our bowling and fielding was probably the best it has been all year.”

McLay himself had a day to remember as he snared his first five-for of the season.

The gun bowler finished with figures of 5-45 from 25.1 overs.

McLay said he was impressed by import Louis Sabbagh-Holt (2-16 from 18 overs) as Waaia’s batters couldn’t find a way to score off the spinner.

“I thought Louis Sabbagh-Holt, it was by far his best game I think,” he said.

“He went at under one an over and finished with two wickets.

“I have felt like the ball has been coming out all right (for me).

“I keep saying to the boys if we bowl in partnerships, one of us will get the rewards.

“Today, I was lucky enough to get it, but I thought all of our bowlers could have quite easily ended up with a bag.”

In a low-scoring arm wrestle, McLay said it was a mix of good bowling and negative batting that led to the tight affair.

“I think you have to give credit to the two bowling units,” he said.

“Both restricted and made scoring quite hard.

“If you applied yourself and had a positive mindset there was runs to be scored out here.”