The second day’s play of the penultimate round of Cricket Shepparton’s home-and-away season took place on Saturday, with Shepparton Youth Club United continuing its hard-fought clash against Waaia at Princess Park.
After being set a tall target of 282 - thanks in large to Waaia captain Mitch Cleeland’s 91 - to secure its third win of the season, SYCU made a strong start to its innings in the round 12 match-up.
Knowing his side needed a positive start to proceedings, SYCU captain Sam Nash moved himself up the order to open the batting alongside import Jake Callow.
The pair forged a 65-run partnership to get the home side off to a flyer before captain Cleeland struck in the 23rd over dismissing Callow for 41 runs off 67 balls.
SYCU continued its calm nature at the crease as another import arrived in Seb Menzhausen.
Nash and Menzhausen refused to crumble against Waaia’s deadly bowling attack made up of Jesse and Will Trower, Connor Brown, Liam Evans and Cleeland.
The duo continued for another 25 overs before Nash was removed - two overs after raising the bat for a defiant 50.
With the score sitting 2-119, SYCU remained in a strong position to chase down the target and create panic in the Waaia camp about the prospect of missing finals.
However, the Bombers’ swarm of bowlers turned the dog fight into a pack hunt as the wickets began to tumble.
When Menzhausen departed for a well-fought 35 runs off 125 balls, the score sat at 5-141 with 16 overs remaining.
The likes of Jake Smith (27 runs off 56 balls) and Tahir Yaqoobi (28 off 21) tried to up the run rate in the hopes of producing a miracle, but the target remained too big for the hosts.
SYCU finished its innings on 9-216, handing Waaia a 65-run win and a rise to fourth place on the overall ladder.
THE GAME
Shepparton Youth Club United 9-216 (Sam Nash 51, Jake Callow 41, Jesse Trower 3-31) lt to Waaia 9-281 (Mitch Cleeland 91, Jesse Trower 48*, Brijesh Kumar 3-87)
STAR PLAYER
Mitch Cleeland (Waaia): Continues to prove he is one of the top batters in the Haisman Shield. His 91 runs off 155 balls were arguably what won his side the match and he will be crucial for the Bombers as they look to secure their spot in finals. Sits second in the league for runs scored this season with 517.
Waaia faces old rivals Mooroopna in another two-day fixture next weekend.
It is a match the Bombers must win if they are to make finals a certainty.
Waaia sits in a prime spot for another launch at a Haisman Shield premiership.
Kyabram proved last season that clubs can get on a hot run of form and win the A-grade flag from any position in the top six when it defeated Mooroopna in the final after finishing fifth overall.
Waaia has a deep bag of tricks it can reach into should it make it qualify for finals.
The likes of Cleeland and his brother Jordan are constantly on the prowl with the bat.
With the ball, both Trowers are always nibbling around the outside edge, while Evans has been handy with the Kookaburra this summer.
As a big off-season recruit, Evans has failed to deliver with the willow, but he could become the difference for the Bombers' flag aspirations if he can find some form with the bat.
SYCU will face Katandra away from home for its final match of the 2024-25 season with the match starting next weekend.
