Haisman Shield | Waaia remains unbeaten after triumph over reigning premier

Simon D’Elia — on one leg after injuring his knee — almost snatched victory from the hands of Carey and his charges 10 months on from last season’s Cricket Shepparton grand final.

With the result Waaia jumps Mooroopna into second spot on the ladder after 11 rounds.

“It got pretty tight at the end there,” Carey said.

“Simon came in to bat after he did his knee pretty badly in the field and raced to 15 from a few boundaries and I thought, ‘oh man they’re going to do it again’.

“As good teams do Mooroopna bat right down to 11. They hung in there and fought until the end.”

Waaia may have squared the ledger one apiece against Mooroopna on Saturday, but Carey understands there are still important wins ahead for his outfit.

“Absolutely (it was) and now it’s one-all since the grand final, but I know I would have loved to have had that first win,” he said.

“It was great to get a win over a quality side like Mooroopna and win the rematch, but we know there are hopefully more important wins ahead of us.”

Waaia opted to bat first at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve and quickly found itself in early trouble.

With the scoreboard 1-8, it fell on the shoulders of Liam Evans (33 runs) and standout performer Sam Trower.

The latter posted a match-high 42-run knock as he and Evans combined for 55 runs.

Cruising at 3-108, disaster struck the visitors.

The next seven wickets were collected for an astonishing 23 runs, which left Waaia all out for 131 from 43 overs.

Mooroopna quick Will Dundon finally got reward for effort and finished with 3-40, while coach Luke Zanchetta claimed 2-15.

“Sam and Liam did a stellar job. Sam has really saved us a few times now this season,” Carey said.

“He got his opportunity up the order and he stuck around with 42 off about 60-odd balls. It was exactly what we needed him to do.

“We wouldn’t have got a score to defend without Sam’s knock.

“On a different day we could have scored much higher, but we knew that if we bowled well that we could get the job done.”

And that’s what happened next.

Waaia soon got on top and had the home side in complete disarray.

Star bowlers Mitch Cleeland (4-22) and Jesse Trower (3-31) were on fire for the Bombers, showcasing why they are one of the premier bowling attacks in the competition.

Mooroopna slumped to 5-30 and looked long shots of securing victory.

Jack Gaskill (25 runs), Sam O’Brien (17) and D’Elia rallied late, but to no avail.

“Mitch and Jesse bowled really well. Getting any side 5-30 is a mighty effort,” Carey said.