The 2024-25 Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield campaign has a leader which perhaps may not be used to the summit in recent times, but it’s a fun ride in the west for the time being.
Travelling to Lemnos Reserve for an encounter with newcomer Pine Lodge, Tatura knew the job was there to be done and, in sending the host in to bat first, wanted the points hastily.
The departures of Hayden Cann, Lachlan Ludeman and James Nugent gave rise to a potentially quick affair, with the Lodgers languishing at 3-18, but opener Liam Trevaskis at least found some degree of stability alongside import Emile Haratbar.
Their 25-run stand proved the most fruitful of the first innings, with little to write home about in the overs that followed.
A large part of that stifling bowling display was down to Darcy Brewer, highlighted by Saturday Sundries last week as a deserving A-grade call-up following a total smothering of Euroa in the Clyde Young Shield.
He took the opportunity with aplomb, delivering three wickets alongside the four of skipper Jayden Armstrong as the Lodgers found themselves off the park for 108.
THE GAME
Pine Lodge 108 (Liam Trevaskis 27, Jayden Armstrong 4-22, Darcy Brewer 3-14) lt Tatura 6-109 (Blake Armstrong 54, Josh Macansh 28, Ryan Kearney 2-30)
STAR PLAYER
Blake Armstrong (Tatura): Armstrong has come steaming into season 2024-25 with a point to prove, much like his side as a whole. A string of 50s could not come at a better time as Tatura seeks the six and Saturday’s might have been the most meaningful to steer clear of a poor start to the chase.
Truth be told, the chase could not have started in less encouraging fashion as Tiron Fernando continued to pick up momentum by removing both openers for ducks, Matthew West taking home one of the golden variety.
Where one Armstrong closed the first innings out, though, another opened their side’s account in a big way offensively as Blake Armstrong took the game by the scruff of the neck with Tatura in a hole at 3-3.
Armstrong simply guided things along in a way he’s been accustomed to this season, notching his third half-century in as many opportunities courtesy of a fierce run-a-ball 54 with eight boundaries.
Six for 90 would look precarious in most situations, and that’s what the scoreboard read after Ryan Kearney eventually removed Armstrong, but the job was all but done at that stage as Chaz Cheatley sealed a four-wicket win in spectacular fashion with a maximum.
Coach Daniel Coombs lauded the efforts of his potent brotherly duo after a solid day on the job.
“I thought we bowled really well. Jayden was particularly good early on, hitting a good length,” Coombs said.
“Their batsmen didn’t look settled on the pitch and we lost three early ones, but it was good for (Josh) Macansh to have a good bat.
“Blake’s in form at the moment and he did a real job for us.
“You’re pretty confident when you can hold them down to about 100. I thought it wouldn’t be the easiest chase, but it was important for us to get the win and get the job done.
“Jayden and Blake have shown over the last few years that they’ve got the talent and potential and now we’re starting to see consistency.”
Tatura will seek to go 4-0 this weekend at home to an improving Karramomus, while the Lodgers will be up against it seeking a maiden A-grade victory when they welcome Numurkah in round four.
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