Gallery | Tatura soars into top six after impressive away victory against Mooroopna in the Haisman Shield

During round 12's second day’s play between Mooroopna and Tatura at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve on Saturday, the visitors kept the opportunity to feature in finals firmly in their grasp.

Tatura set a target of 204 last weekend against Mooroopna, with the Cats eager to cause havoc on their opponents' finals chances.

With gun bowler Chaz Cheatley unavailable, Tatura brothers Jayden (4-51 from 24 overs) and Blake Armstrong (2-31 from 20) opened the bowling to great effect.

The pair’s consistent tight lines kept Mooroopna’s batters under the pump as the Armstrong boys pocketed plenty of plays and misses early in the day.

Tatura player-coach Daniel Coombs said both Jayden and Blake were on the money from ball one against Mooroopna.

“(The Armstrongs) bowled really impressive spells,” Coombs said.

“Especially early on, they were probably unlucky not to get more wickets than they did.

“The conditions were suited to bowling longer spells.

“I also thought Darcy Brewer (3-33 from 11) bowled well in the end.

"He is still a young lad developing, so he bowled well and took wickets at important times at the end.”

Mooroopna’s batters managed to survive the early dangers on a slow and two-paced wicket as the hosts pushed to 3-84 after 37 overs.

Import Ethan Baker (27 runs off 56 balls) and Ben Woods (36 off 118) were the main contributors with the willow.

Coombs said some missed opportunities in the field cost Tatura throughout the innings.

“It was a tough day,” he said.

“I thought we bowled really well and didn’t necessarily have much luck early on.

“They played and missed quite a few times and there were probably a few chances that we put down that would have made things a lot easier for us.”

Tatura was aware that Mooroopna’s middle-lower batting order lacked experience and was vulnerable to pressure and a few quick wickets.

The visitors’ bowlers circled Mooroopna’s youth like sharks out at sea, as Tatura soon gained ascendancy and bowled the hosts out for 174.

Heading into the second day’s play, the visitors knew a win would go a long way to pushing Tatura into Haisman finals after a few years’ absence.

Coombs said his players know that they are still no certainty to feature in finals this season, but at least the opportunity is in their control as Tatura now sits fifth on the ladder with a round to play.

“For us, it was like a final really; we had to win,” he said.

“If we wanted things to be in our hands, we had to win that game and win next week.

“We have had a few games where we haven’t played our best cricket, so it was good to show a bit of character yesterday and fight back and get a win.”

Next weekend, Tatura will host second-placed Nagambie with the simple equation being a win will secure finals.