Sport
Gallery | Nagambie rips through Pine Lodge during shortened two-day Haisman Shield match
Nagambie is roaring as the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield charges towards the Christmas break.
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After rain washed away any chance of play Saturday week ago, the round eight fixture between Nagambie and Pine Lodge was turned into effectively a one-day match.
Pine Lodge won the toss and elected to bowl at Lemnos Recreation Reserve.
Nagambie’s opening pair Luke Nolan (seven runs off 26 balls) and James Auld (12 off 37) got their side off to a slow but steady start.
Having avoided the wrath of blistering quick Tiron Fernando, both openers fell to Pine Lodge coach Travis Waters as the score sat on 2-29.
This led to the Lakers’ two in-form batters coming to the crease, with Mitch Winter-Irving (scored 130 in his last match) and captain Mark Nolan (two 50s in his past three innings) looking to continue their fine seasons.
The pair started to turn the strike rate over and increase the run rate as Nagambie looked to counterattack.
Winter-Irving was dismissed by Ryan Kearney for 26 as the score sat at 3-87 after 24.1 overs.
While those around him failed to make a substantial score, Nolan continued his hot form as he plundered runs against Pine Lodge’s quality bowling attack.
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Pine Lodge's Cooper Adkins contemplates his next ball. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 7
Nagambie's Mark Nolan was seeing them like beach balls. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 7
Pine Lodge's Darshana Prasad Loku Hettige zips the ball back into the keeper. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 7
Nagambie's Mitch Winter-Irving and Mark Nolan talk shop out in the middle. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 7
Pine Lodge's Tiron Fernando out in the blazing sun. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 7
Pine Lodge's Travis Waters wonders which lever to pull next as skipper. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 7
Pine Lodge's James Nugent came charging into bowl. Photo by Rechelle ZammitNolan produced a true captain’s knock as he struck 12 boundaries on his way to 78 runs from 84 balls before losing his wicket to Darshana Prasad Loku Hettige.
Nagambie finished its innings on 8-180 after its 45 overs, leaving Pine Lodge a tall target to chase.
The Lodgers’ response got off to a disastrous start as Winter-Irving struck with the first ball of the innings, dismissing Liam Trevaskis for a golden duck.
The in-form all-rounder continued to have his way with Pine Lodge’s under-siege batters, as Winter-Irving took the first three wickets of the innings.
His captain soon joined in on the party as Nolan took two wickets in three balls before Winter-Irving claimed his second golden duck of the day.
The Lodgers were left on their knees at 6-17 as the match was quickly whisked away from their grasp.
From that point on, Pine Lodge was left scrambling trying to climb a seemingly impossible hill.
Despite some lower-order swinging, the Lodgers never took back control of the match and were bowled out for 71.
THE GAME
Nagambie 8-180 (Mark Nolan 78, Mitch Winter-Irving 26, Darshana Prasad Loku Hettige 3-30) d Pine Lodge 71 (Thomas Phillips 23, Mitch Winter-Irving 4-17, Mark Nolan 2-0)
STAR PLAYER
Mark Nolan (Nagambie): The captain was instrumental with bat and ball. Nolan struck a match-winning 78 before delivering with the ball across his five overs, registering five maidens and claiming two wickets. He has now scored three 50s in his past four digs.
Nagambie coach Zac Winter-Irving said he was happy with how his batters performed on a tough wicket.
“It was really good to put on 180 — it was a pretty gritty 180, to be honest, the conditions with the pitch weren’t ideal, so I thought that was a touch above par,” Winter-Irving said.
“It really led the way with our little partnerships and no big collapses was key for the day.
“Mitch and ‘Barney’ (Nolan) were excellent, we had them 6-18.”
Nolan’s ability with bat and ball makes him one of the most dangerous players in the Haisman Shield every season.
Winter-Irving said he hoped Nolan’s form could carry deep into March next year.
“Our batting led the way by Mark Nolan; it was a really good knock there to get 70-odd,” he said.
“He has always been up there with the bat and the ball.
“He will definitely be utilised pushing into finals.
“It’s important we keep his body right and he will play a key role for sure like he does most years.”
While Winter-Irving was impressed with how his batters performed, he said he was even more thrilled with the Lakers’ domination with the Kookaburra.
“It turned into a one-dayer, but we still had the red ball and we back ourselves with the red ball,” he said.
“We were disciplined and put the ball in the right spots and let it do its work.
“The boys were reasonably fresh and we got through our overs and held on to all of our chances.”
One round remains in 2024 before the Christmas break.
Pine Lodge — which is still searching for its first non-T20 victory this summer — will travel to Mooroopna, while Nagambie will look to end its 2024 on a high when it hosts Karramomus.
Cadet Sports Journalist