Gallery | Shepparton Youth Club United demolishes Euroa in first Haisman Shield match of 2025

Saturday’s game was the first of the year in the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield, with the home side securing a blistering start thanks to captain Sam Nash.

After losing the toss and being sent into field, Nash took the honours with the new ball and came steaming in to Euroa opener and young gun Cohen Paul.

Not missing a beat after the festive season, Nash clipped the stumps to make it 1-0 as he got his charges roaring.

The bowling all-rounder said it was a pretty good feeling taking a wicket with the opening rock of 2025.

“From a personal perspective, I was pretty happy with that,” Nash said.

“First ball after Christmas, to hit the top of off, I wasn’t too mad about that.

“Losing the toss and having a bowl, we probably weren’t too worried, we were pretty happy to have a bowl.”

Euroa’s batters tried their best to dig in and post a competitive total, but at no point was United put on the back foot.

Ash Ellis (29 runs off 58 balls) and Vaughan Kirk (31 off 78) were the Magpies’ two main dangers with the willow.

The home side had an even spread of contributors with the ball.

Star all-rounder Rehan Bari claimed 3-11, while Nash, opener Ethan McLaren and import Ben Greenwood all took two wickets.

Nash said his side’s performance in the field was clearly its best effort for the season.

“It was the perfect start to 2025,” he said.

“Everyone chipped in where they needed to — it was a great all-round performance.

“(Then) to come out and bat the way we did and get it done in 16 overs was pretty impressive.”

Euroa was eventually skittled for 116 after 40.4 overs.

United’s openers were commanding in their first hit for the year, with Jake Callow (50* off 42) and Steven Tate (55* off 59) carrying the bat through the innings.

Nash said it was an impressive performance from the opening pair which secured the victory in 16.4 overs.

“(Tate and Callow) both could have got 20 or 30 and thrown it away, but with that small total, they both stuck it out after getting through that initial part of the new ball and both got rewarded,” he said.

“Both have had starts this year where they have gotten to that 20 or 30 mark and then thrown it away, so it was good to see them kick on with it.

“To do it (no wickets) down, I thought that sent a pretty good message.”

Nash said he hoped his side’s commanding victory would help push it into form for the remainder of the season.

“Pre-Christmas hasn’t gone the way we wanted it to, we are the first to say that,” he said.

“We have got three really important games straight back after Christmas and yesterday was the first part of that and we ticked that off comfortably.

“We are confident we can have a really strong back end of the season.

“Hopefully, put ourselves in finals contention over those last two rounds.”

This weekend United will travel to take on Pine Lodge in a two-day match, while Euroa has the bye.