Upping the tempo: Nagambie’s Ricky Misiti goes aerial.
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Artsy Lens Photography
Nagambie enjoyed a triumphant return to is lakeside fortress, with a big first innings total the catalyst for a clinical 35-run win over Shepparton United.
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Opener Ricky Misiti was the standout for the home team with bat in hand, anchoring the innings with a gritty half-century at the top of the order, before a complete bowling performance restricted United to just 171 in the chase.
Faced with mostly perfect conditions, Shepparton United captain Chaminda Vindanapatharina won the toss and surprisingly sent Nagambie in, as his side looked to take advantage of the Lakers’ early season batting woes.
Attacking intent: Lakers captain Mark Nolan takes on the field.
Photo by
Artsy Lens Photography
Those hopes were quickly dashed as Nagambie’s top order finally found some form, with Misiti punishing loose and helping get the Lakers off to the quick start they desperately needed.
Partnered by Tom Barnes (19) and Luke Nolan (34), Misiti led the charge as the Lakers found themselves in complete control at 3-136 and looked set for a mammoth first innings score.
Searching for a spark, United found it in the form of Tahir Yaqoobi, who came in to the attack and yielded instant results, taking four quick wickets to wrestle back control for the visitors.
Taking it on: Shepparton United’s Mahesh Kodamullage beats the off-side field.
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Artsy Lens Photography
Having just lost 4-21 and in danger of falling short of posting 200, returning captain Mark Nolan strode to the wicket and immediately showed his class, putting together a crucial 27 not out in the final overs to lift his side to an imposing 7-206.
In pursuit of 208, it was a nervy start for United, losing a clump of early wickets to be under the pump at 5-42.
Nathan Fothergill was the destroyer for Nagambie, removing both openers on his way to a brilliant return of 3-31 from his nine overs.
With the game all but sewn up in the first 20 overs of the chase, Mahesh Kodamullage went about trying to make things interesting, coming to the crease with an attacking intent to post an unbeaten half-century.
Solid resistance: Shepparton United’s Mahesh Kodamullage posts a half-century.
However, it was too little, too late as Nagambie shot its way up in to the top four with its second straight win.
Mark Nolan said his side would take a lot of confidence out of the performance.
“It was a very good win in the end. Got off to a really good start with the bat and to post over 200 you are going to win most games,” he said.
“We didn’t bowl particularly well in stages but overall just happy to get the win.
A great contest: Nagambie looks to close out its bowling innings.
“It is nice to stay ahead of the win/loss ledger and with Tatura at home coming up next week we will be looking to put in another strong performance and put ourselves in a good position come the Christmas break.”
Shepparton United was far too good in the B-grade clash, handing Nagambie its third straight loss to begin the Clyde Young Shield season.
Sent in on a beautiful spring day at Princess Park, the Lakers couldn’t make the most of the perfect conditions, losing a consistent stream of early wickets to be in a spot of bother at 4-22.
That brought captain Travis Blackwell to the crease. After a blistering century last week, he looked ominous as the visitors attempted to put some scoreboard pressure on the undefeated ladder leaders.
Unfortunately for Nagambie, the skipper’s vigil was cut short on 28, as an evenly spread performance from the United bowling unit quickly wrapped up the tail and restricted the Lakers to a measly total of 115.
Ready to strike: Nagambie captain Mark Nolan.
Shepparton United wasted no time in its pursuit of the small victory target, with openers Tyler and Connor Green making their presence felt with a commanding 61-run stand for the first wicket.
Tyler was particularly impressive for the home side, with his run-a-ball 46 the catalyst as United chased down the target in just 15.2 overs to claim a dominant eight-wicket victory.
Nagambie solidified its position in the top four in the Whitelock Shield E-grade competition with a clinical seven-wicket win over Murchison at Nagambie Primary.
A masterful all-round bowling performance, which saw Will Gladwin, Mitchell Sanderson and Trent Gladwin all take two tickets, was the inspiration behind the crushing victory as they bowled Murchison out for just 85 in the first innings.
The Lakers’ batting unit then made light work of the small total, with a nicely constructed 31 from opener Jack Lowe guiding them to victory in just 15 overs.
Nagambie’s junior representatives fell agonisingly short in a hotly contested under-14 B contest with Euroa.
Making 6-80 from their 25 overs, the Lakers weren’t able to restrict the power of Euroa’s batting, giving up 4-92.
Hudson Black was the standout performer for Nagambie, taking 2-7 from his two overs.
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