Sport
Karramomus etches first win on the board, holding on for nervy two-wicket beating of Euroa
Karramomus has finally broken its duck.
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After two months without a win the Bloods stood tall, planted their feet and whacked their way to six points against Euroa at Vibert Reserve on Saturday.
But the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield win was nervous; there’s no doubt about it.
Karramomus’ Mitch McGrath (36 not out) flashed the winning runs with two wickets to spare after a mini-collapse had Euroa within arm’s reach of a come-from-behind victory.
However, the early path set by opener Cooper Delahey (72) eventually had the Bloods smiling all the way to the bank — and the bar, with the club Christmas party arriving the following day.
So, to say coach Ash Brown was glad to get over the line is an understatement.
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No run there: Karramomus' Shahidul Chowdhury. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 7
Launching it: Euroa's Lincoln McKernan. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 7
Sprinting between: Karramomus' Mitchell McGrath. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 7
Spearhead: Euroa's James Lloyd. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 7
Up and about: Karramomus' John Brodie and Jack McKernan celebrate a wicket. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 7
Serious clicks: Euroa's Vaughan Kirk. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 7
Down low: Euroa's Joshua Robertson. Photo by Rechelle Zammit“It was very much so (a good win), it put a smile on the boys’ faces,” Brown said.
“They did the right thing anyway, didn’t they? We just talked about trying to be positive and show some intent.
“There were a couple that did that and a couple who missed out, but overall it was very pleasing.”
Karramomus had a target of 189 to make and resumed play on Saturday at 2-35, with Delahey and Nathan Jones greased up and ready to go.
Magpies bowler James Lloyd, who picked up two wickets on day one, sent Jones shed-bound for 30 as he cannoned the pill into his pads, bringing a determined McGrath to the middle.
He forged a sturdy stand with Delahey which had the visitors scratching their heads — it seemed like nothing would give.
But when Delahey dished one straight into Liam Phillips’ hands after raising the bat, it was game on.
Jayden Dhosi was the next to depart for three and Euroa wrested back some power with the dismissals of father-son duo Chris and Lachie Keady for not many.
However, the points were already in the bag when the former walked for five, drawing a massive sigh of relief from the Bloods.
Lloyd was Euroa’s best with the ball as he took 4-55, while Vaughan Kirk and Phillips took two wickets apiece in a loss that condemned Euroa to the ladder’s foot.
THE GAME
Euroa 188 (James Lloyd 46, Liam Phillips 39, Zac Groombridge 4-63) lt Karramomus 8-192 (Cooper Delahey 61, Mitch McGrath 53*, James Lloyd 4-55)
STAR PLAYER
Mitch McGrath (Karramomus): When Karramomus needed a saviour, McGrath answered his side’s prayers with a gritty unbeaten half-century to secure the win. James Lloyd deserves a special mention for his 46 and 4-55.
Karramomus lifts into 11th, but stares down the barrel of a tricky fixture run in the new year, taking on the likes of Central Park-St Brendan’s and Katandra.
Brown isn’t worried.
The Bloods’ ledger could have looked a great deal healthier had they scooped a bit of fortune in earlier close contests and the Karramomus coach hopes to see a conversion on these half-chances in the final third of the season.
“We’ve been in games right through, not all of them of course, but Mooroopna for example, they were in with a chance and then just rolled over,” he said.
“Waaia was a chance; they’ve been in the whole lot of them I reckon.
“But a couple of things happened which set us on the wrong path.”
Senior Sports Journalist