THE last round of Cricket Shepparton competition before the Christmas break has ended with Waaia retaining top spot on the ladder despite a loss to second-placed Nagambie on Saturday.
Playing at home, the Nagambie Lakers batted first but struggled to put partnerships together.
Both openers got starts, with Ricky Misiti first out on 15 and opening partner Ben Tarran batting deeper before getting out on 27.
A crucial 31 by Brayden Biggs, batting at number eight, helped his side to 9/136 at the close of their 45 overs.
Wickets were spread across the Waaia bowlers’ list with Liam Evans most impressive with 2/21 from his full nine overs.
In reply, Evans opened with the bat, knocking his way to 42 while watching on as five wickets fell around him. When Evans was dismissed, Waaia was 6/88, still 49 runs short of victory.
A late-innings 37 from wicketkeeper Luke Quinn wasn’t enough for the visitors, with nine of their 11 batsmen falling before reaching double digits. In the end, they fell 17 runs short, all out for 120 after 44 overs.
Nagambie’s Harley Taylor-Lloyd was brilliant with the ball, taking 4/22 from his nine, as was Nathan Fothergill, who bowled nine overs, five maidens, 0/12.
Cricket Shepparton competition resumes on January 30 for round eight of the 13-round season.
In brief:
• Nagambie 9/136(cc) B Biggs 31, B Tarran 27, defeated Waaia 120 H Taylor-Lloyd 4/22, KJ Winter-Irving 2/27
• Kyabram 7/166(cc) PA Newman 70, B McClay 53, RJ Moon 3/21, L Zanchetta 2/34, S D’Elia 2/28 defeated Mooroopna 8/165(cc) J Smith-Williams 36, B Lowe 27, C Ryan 3/46, C McLay 2/26
• Katandra 3/181 B Clurey 72, SW Wright 48*, A Riordan 30*, L Callegari 3/42 defeated Old Students 8/178(cc) L McPhillamy 50, C McCabe 45*, F Odell 35, A Riordan 5/31, JM Wright 3/25
• Euroa 120 B Armstrong 4/28, B Archer 3/13 defeated Tatura 94 SS Dadallage 4/13, N Symes 2/15, W Sharp 2/17
• Northerners 8/168(cc) M Brett 79*, D Vidler 3/20 defeated by Shepparton United 9/175(cc) K Armstrong 70*, C Rendina 48, T Sidebottom 3/23, J Brett 3/39
• Central Park/St Brendans – Bye
