KATANDRA has upset Nagambie by clinching this season’s Cricket Shepparton T/20 competition with a 7-run win in the final on the weekend.
After four rounds of T/20 cricket played through January, Nagambie and Katandra were the two unbeaten sides to advance through to a grand final which was delayed by last month’s snap lockdown, but held in Mooroopna on Sunday.
For context, Nagambie has finished the regular Haisman Shield A Grade season atop the ladder, while Katandra finished ninth. It just so happened that the two teams played off against each other in the final round of the regular season the day prior at Katandra, with Nagambie claiming the points by 8 runs.
On Sunday, Katandra batted first and seemed to struggle against Nagambie’s premier bowling attack.
Raymond Ireland top scored with 24 from 29 balls while the Eagles battled to 8/96 from their 20 overs.
In reply, the Lakers were looking strong at 3/65 with Kyle Winter-Irving (34 from 29) at the crease. From there though, the wheels started to fall off the Nagambie run chase.
Successive wickets exposed Nagambie’s lower order as the runs dried up and the overs ticked over. Katandra took 6/24 to close out the match, leaving Nagambie stuck 8 runs short of victory.
Corey Hickford set the tone with the ball, taking 2/13 from four overs at the top of the innings and Ireland closed out the match with 2/12 off his three.
For Katandra, it’s a sweet ending to a season which only produced four wins in the regular season. For Nagambie, a final hit out before finals start this Saturday.
