The round 12 two-day clash saw Euroa desperate to distance itself from the bottom of the ladder, while firm-favourites Katandra needed a victory to stay in the top six in the lead-up to finals.
In the battle of the birds, it was the Magpies who soared highest on their home deck at Euroa Friendly Society Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The first day’s play between the two sides last weekend saw Euroa take ascendancy over the contest as Katandra fell to 5-45 trailing by 118 at stumps.
However, the Eagles still had some more-than-handy batters left ready and waiting in the sheds as the two sides walked out to start the second day’s action.
Katandra nightwatchman Sam Green (six runs off 20 balls) was quick to depart before next in line Graham Sharp (six off 20) followed suit.
Euroa’s bowlers continued to pile on the pressure with Sham Dadallage (5-37 from 21.2 overs) the star.
Dadallage claimed his first five-wicket haul for the season on Saturday, spinning a web of deception that the Eagles' batters couldn’t decipher.
Seasoned Eagles veteran Andrew Riordan (52 off 104) put up a fight for the visitors but it was to no avail as Katandra was bowled out for 100.
Euroa, after securing the 63-run first innings win, went back into bat scoring a further 5-115, but it added nothing to the final result.
Katandra’s season is now poised on a cliff's edge.
With one round remaining, the Eagles sit in seventh, one position out of the finals race and their fate is effectively out of their control.
The Katandra West side is certainly missing its former Lightfoot Medal winner and master-blaster Jedd Wright who has battled constant injury niggles this season.
Wright would have been a welcome addition to an Eagles' batting line-up that has struggled to make imposing totals this season.
Katandra will need to secure a dominant, possibly even an outright victory over Shepparton Youth Club United in round 13 to make the top six.
One of Numurkah (sits ahead in sixth, tied with Katandra on 39 points), Tatura (42 points), Waaia (43) or Kyabram (45) - although the Redbacks should be safe given their strong quotient - will likely have to lose and the Eagles win for Ryleigh Shannon’s side to sneak in.
In the final round of the home-and-away season, Tatura faces a tough task against second-placed Nagambie at home, Waaia hosts rivals Mooroopna, Numurkah comes up against an in-form Old Students and Kyabram will take on top-of-the-table Central Park-St Brendan’s.
One thing remains for certain, there is still plenty to play for across the next two weekends in the Haisman Shield.
STAR PLAYER
Sham Dadallage (Euroa): The Magpies’ spinner was crucial in putting the Eagles on the back foot early as he claimed three scalps before stumps the week prior. Finished the game off strong with his first A-grade five-wicket haul of the season and was a key figure in his side’s second win of the summer. Can Euroa’s spinner keep his form going and help his side make it two wins on the trot against Karramomus in the final round to finish off the season?
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