The two sides sat in 11th and 12th spots on the ladder heading into the clash, but it was the Magpies who earned a four-wicket win at Euroa Friendly Society Recreation Reserve.
Chasing 159 for victory, the Magpies battled their way to 6-165 to earn a hard-fought result in a back-and-forth contest.
“It was a really good day of cricket. Everyone who went down to watch thought it was really good to see two young sides having a crack,” Euroa coach Andrew Squires said.
“Tat really pushed us and the way they played their cricket was fantastic.
“The pendulum swung from one side to the other, it was a really interesting game. Overall, I thought it was a really good game of cricket.”
Tatura won the toss and chose to bat, but it was in a spot of bother at 5-62 midway through its innings.
But Lachlan Magee steadied the ship, with an unbeaten 51 – his highest score of the season – helping the Bulldogs reach a strong total of 159.
Opener Blake Armstrong was the next highest contributor with 24, while Euroa’s Siva Manikanta (4-46) and Ryan Hill (3-23) were the main wicket-takers.
“One hundred and sixty at our field is a really good score,” Squires said.
“We thought we let them get a little bit too much, but we are always confident with our abilities, it is just putting it together on the day.”
That confidence paid off, as Euroa managed to reach Tatura’s total with four wickets in hand.
Nicholas Hill top scored for Euroa with 38 runs, with six batters reaching double digits.
“For the boys to chase down 160 we were really happy with the result,” Squires said.
“We were over the moon that the young blokes stepped up and took control. I was really impressed with the young blokes stepping up yesterday and getting the job done.”
Squires and Cohen Paul were two other key contributors with the bat making 25 and 22 respectively, with Paul clinching victory in style with a six.
Magee was the leading bowler for Tatura with figures of 2-45.
The Magpies had one win heading into the Christmas break, but they have now banked two more victories in the new year.
Squires said Saturday’s result should serve as a big boost for his young side heading into the future.
“It gives the guys a little bit of satisfaction that what we are working on at training and the style of cricket we are trying to play is starting to pay off,” Squires said.
“It gives them a bit of hope moving forward that our game plan and what we are doing is going to stack up.”
THE GAME
Tatura 159 (Lachlan Magee 51 not out, Siva Manikanta 4-46, Ryan Hill 3-23) lt Euroa 6-165 (Nicholas Hill 38, Andrew Squires 25, Lachlan Magee 2-45)
STAR PLAYER
Lachlan Magee (Tatura): His side might not have come away with the win, but Magee did all he could to try and help Tatura get there. With the Bulldogs in a tough spot, Magee’s 51 not out helped them reach a strong score. He then took two wickets later on, including the key scalp of Nicholas Hill (38).
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