On paper and looking at recent fortunes, the Redbacks might not have expected their adversaries to be up for the kind of fight they showed a week ago in posting 213.
Karramomus had clearly neatened up its bowling approach through the first month or so, though Kyabram has undoubtedly been one of the competition’s most fearsome batting outfits.
Knowing all 80 overs were available, Billy McLay was in no hurry opening alongside Paul Parsons in soaking up more than 140 deliveries all his own as others went about providing more offensive jolt.
Though Zane Newbound had Parsons’ number before long, everything sure changed when Kyle Mueller strolled out to the middle - as has come to be expected.
The Bloods fielders took the understandably conservative approach, forcing more runs inside the park on what was already a scorcher at Vibert Reserve.
It mattered little to the Redbacks talisman, though, who had already impressed in a rare 10-over bowling spell on day one with a vital wicket.
Back in his natural habitat, Mueller ran it out when necessary, still finding the rope nine times and ultimately carrying through unbeaten with 101 not out to again rubber-stamp his Lightfoot Medal favouritism.
It wasn’t just immediate cause for celebration, either - a long career of success in the red and black reached another milestone as he notched 5000 total runs for Kyabram’s A-grade side.
Jackson Darkes-Sutcliffe and Zavier Davidson chipped away around him where they could, combining for five wickets, but the Redbacks’ position was simply too commanding with the manpower behind them in the order, eventually posting a three-wicket win.
THE GAME
Karramomus 213 (Jayden Dhosi 62, Nathan Jones 54, Charlie McLay 4-50) lt Kyabram 7-225 (Kyle Mueller 101*, Billy McLay 35, Jackson Darkes-Sutcliffe 3-50)
STAR PLAYER
Kyle Mueller (Kyabram): Cometh the hour, cometh Kyabram’s main man to deliver exactly the knock required to overpower gallant opposition. It wasn’t the normal fireworks show, as coach Jackson McLay alluded to, but he fired up to carry his side home all the same.
The result helps the reigning premiers take advantage of previously unbeaten Numurkah’s defeat out at Katandra, creating a jumbled picture for the top four spots.
Coach Jackson McLay was happy to recoup what he saw as some losses on the bowling front last week.
“We were probably disappointed with our bowling effort,” McLay said.
“We might have dropped the standards, but to be honest, 213 might have been 50 or 60 short of par, so I was confident we might be able to tick it off.
“In two-day cricket, when you apply yourself, there’s runs to be made and when you’re two down at tea, you’re confident you can get it done.
“I thought Kyle was fantastic. They pushed the fielders back for him from the very start and he knocked it into the gaps, so it was a different 100 for him.
“The partnerships allowed us to tick the game off, as you don’t chase down 200-plus without those.”
While Kyabram was one of a handful of benefactors from the Eagles-Blues result, it’s now the turn of McLay and company to deal with the victors as Katandra awaits over the next two Saturdays.
“We’ll have to apply ourselves again with the bat. If we show what we did today, we’ll put a score on,” McLay said.
“We need to improve with the ball; if we bowl like we did last week, we might have to chase close to 300 as we weren’t disciplined enough.
“To rectify that with the bat showcases the depth we have, and hopefully we’ll get a couple back next week.
“We normally have good contests with them, so we’re looking forward to it.”
