By Struan Jones
MOOROOPNA and Waaia will face off for Cricket Shepparton’s highest honour this Saturday when they meet for the Haisman Shield A-Grade grand final at Shepparton’s Deakin Reserve.
Both teams secured preliminary final wins last weekend, in matches that could have fallen either way.
In Waaia, the locals hosted Kyabram and batted first. In an otherwise lacklustre innings, Jordan Cleeland held up one end contributing 44, before Greg Meyland knocked a vital 26 not out in the final overs to see the Bombers to 123 all out in the 45th over.
In reply, apart from a couple of modest stands by Kyabram’s Charlie McLay (25) and Kyle Mueller (21), the Redbacks stumbled, at one point losing 4/4 and finishing all out on 105, 19 runs short of victory.
Conner Brown was brilliant with the ball, taking 3/19 from his 9 overs.
In Mooroopna, Nagambie made the trip up the highway and batted first, struggled to score and edged their way to 101 all out in the last over. Lakers’ opener Ricky Misiti top-scored with 19, but honours went to the bowlers. Simon D’Elia took 3/20 from his 9.
In reply, Mooroopna’s Jac Smith-Williams was a man on a mission. He came to the crease with his side at 1/9 and saw them through to 4/102, with himself (48*) and Sam O’Brien (18*) hitting the winning runs in just the 31st over, getting his side over the line with six wickets in hand.
This Saturday’s Cricket Shepparton grand finals:
• Haisman Shield A-Grade: Mooroopna vs Waaia at Deakin Reserve from 12.30pm
• Clyde Young Shield B-Grade: Kyabram vs Mooroopna at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve from 12.00pm
• Jim McGregor Shield C-Grade: Invergorden vs Mooroopna at Princess Park from 12pm
