The Eagles were merciless with bat and ball en route to a 136-run thrashing of the cellar-dwelling Northerners at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
After falling four runs shy of a debut half-century in his new colours the previous weekend, Ben Pedretti made amends with 54, falling seven runs shy of his opposition’s entire total.
Hadleigh Sirett would produce another memorable lower-order spell with the bat, going deep three times on his way to 36 off only 29 balls.
The Katandra bowlers would soon take centre stage after posting 6-197 on offence, though, with Corey Hickford retiring the entire top order rapidly and efficiently.
Ominous signs were present seconds into Northerners’ reply, with Lachlan Vassallo caught off Hickford with the first ball of the innings.
Trent Sidebottom’s dismissal to end the fifth over left his side at 4-11 and Ryleigh Shannon would take over in the spotlight to decimate the tail end and consign Northerners to 61 all out.
Captain Jedd Wright picked up some form with a run-a-ball 35 and was impressed by his side’s total control of the affair.
“We certainly batted a lot better (than last week),” Wright said.
“We were pretty ruthless with the ball and fielded well, so it was a pleasing win.
“I felt we left 40 or 50 runs out there, but we knew by bowling well their batsmen would come under pressure.”
THE GAME
Katandra 6-197 (B. Pedretti 54, H. Sirett 36, J. Sidebottom 2-29) d Northerners 61 (S. Marshall 16*, C. Hickford 4-5, R. Shannon 4-19)
STAR PLAYER
Corey Hickford (Katandra): Figures of 4-5 off six overs, three maidens included, are nothing short of mesmerising as Hickford’s tandem offence with Ryleigh Shannon eviscerated the Northerners’ line-up.
Wright was also full of praise for Pedretti, having played to his expectations with 100 runs compiled in the opening fortnight to put the Eagles on the right track.
“I definitely think Ben was best-on this weekend,” Wright said.
“There was a fair bit in that wicket early, so he did a good job seeing out that new ball.”
Up next for the unbeaten Katandra is the unknown quantity of Mooroopna, which has been unable to take the pitch in season 2023-24 due to varying circumstances.
“Most people probably have them as a top team this year; I’d think they’re still a top-two side,” Wright said.
“We’re expecting them to be pretty handy and a few of us like myself and (Hadleigh) Sirett won’t be able to play next week.”
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