Nagambie holds on for close-fisted Haisman Shield victory over Numurkah

Returning on day two with 206 runs cashed in to defend, Nagambie was in frightening form early doors with one man in particular tearing strips off the opposition.

It’s no surprise as to who that was - who else but Mark Nolan?

The Lakers’ skipper removed dangerous Blues’ bat Dylan Grandell for a duck in the sixth over and also skittled Jordan O’Dwyer for not many as Numurkah struggled to break the shackles.

Bad turned to worse when Raguvaran Aravinthan and Bailey Smith departed for single digits, leaving the travelling outfit stranded up the proverbial creek without a paddle at 4-36 after 23 overs.

Whether or not Numurkah was blaring Bonnie Tyler in the sheds, there certainly was a notion that the Blues needed a hero at that instance.

With backs against the wall, Ben Beaumont came forth.

The ex-Barooga blaster began chiselling away at the target with fellow foreigner James Du Toit for company, drawing Numurkah’s team total close to triple figures before Du Toit met his end on 34.

Fast forward an hour or so and all of a sudden a turnaround victory was on the cards as Numurkah sat at 5-152 in the 54th over with a red-hot Beaumont in the middle.

However, the pendulum swung right back in Nagambie’s favour as Brayden Biggs snagged the Englishman for 74, triggering a collapse that saw the final five wickets drop for just 40 runs.

Nolan’s stand out bowling, claiming 5-44, was supported by the efforts of Mitch Winter-Irving (2-57) and Biggs (2-48) as the Lakers held on for a tight-fisted 14-run triumph.

Nagambie now heads into the final home and away round against Tatura while Numurkah eyes off a must-win clash against Old Students.