The Redbacks’ middle-order batsmen rallied to come to the rescue after Tatura had dictated the early stages of their last-round clash at Tatura.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Kyabram dipped to 5-90 at one stage at the Tatura football ground wicket, which had to be used after corella damage to the wicket at Frank Howley Oval forced the change of venue.
Despite 29 from opener Billy McLay and 35 from Paul Parsons in a second-wicket stand of 50, the loss of the Mueller brothers Cade and Kyle and Alec Young cheaply had the visitors struggling early.
But Kyabram coach Jackson McLay, Lukas Hanslow and Charlie McLay then stepped up to steer Kyabram to a healthy 250.
Jackson McLay made a half-century off 103 balls with seven boundaries and Hanslow whacked 47 off 52 deliveries with eight fours in an innings-changing stand of 97 for the sixth wicket.
Charlie McLay then made an aggressive unbeaten 44 off 43 balls with seven boundaries and shared a valuable 47-run partnership for the seventh wicket which boosted Kyabram’s total to a respectable 250.
Tatura skipper Jayden Armstrong with 4-76 off 18 overs, Blake Armstrong with 3-42 off 13 overs and Matthew Macansh with 2-24 off eight overs did the damage with the ball for the home side.
In reply at stumps, Tatura was reeling at 2-12 with Jackson McLay completing a good day with bat and ball, claiming 2-2 off three overs.
The Tatura batsmen have a lot of work to do to make a fist of their run chase this Saturday, although Kyabram can’t be dislodged from second place on the ladder and will enter the first week of the finals with the double chance.
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