Shepparton Youth Club United defiant, but Karramomus stars prove worth in Haisman Shield victory
In the round one Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield clash between Karramomus and Shepparton Youth Club United, a game that swung with momentum treated spectators to an entertaining clash.
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Karramomus won the toss and elected to bat at Vibert Reserve on Saturday afternoon, and it was a choice Mitchell McGrath will forever thank Nathan Jones for.
While it was tricky for the top order to make many runs, McGrath’s pre-season form turned into gold for the real deal, delivering an unbeaten triple-figure knock to guide the Bloods to a competitive total by innings end.
SYCU’s Sam Nash scooped up the first wicket in the eighth over after McGrath and opener Zavier Davidson combined for 34 runs, before Declan Newbound was sent back to the sheds on his second ball by SYCU import George Geaves - a top edge skied to the offside for a catch so simple, Davidson began walking before it was even caught.
United’s Grayson Widmer removed former Pine Lodge player Dylan Hardy for 14 and Ethan Baxter for a three-ball duck, placing the Bloods at 4-77 and giving SYCU a real sniff at an upset.
But as Cooper Delahey strolled to the crease, McGrath punched gloves with a determined look that Karramomus wasn’t simply going to finish with a subpar total.
McGrath reached his half-ton as the pair picked the gaps - or picked the aerial route, as Delahy launched two bombs for six back-to-back towards the end of his innings.
But prior to that, with McGrath perched on 99, Delahy on 49, a near mix-up threatened to end the partnership at the most painstaking time.
Delahey placed a cut shot and hit the jets, then hesitated, before powering through - it caused McGrath to hesitate too halfway down the pitch, but as he scampered through to the wicketkeeping end, the ball was thrown towards the non-striker’s stumps as Delahey made his crease.
The very next ball, it was ton up time for McGrath for his second ever A-grade century.
He would finish on 120 not out, Delahey on 71 (run out with a couple overs left), promoting Karramomus from a projected mediocre total to a formidable 5-241.
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Karramomus' Mitchell McGrath and Cooper Delahey formed a monster partnership. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 10
Karramomus' Mitchell McGrath flicks the wrists. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 10
Karramomus' Cooper Delahey goes boonta with the bat. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 10
SYCU's Hugh Trewin slams the Kookaburra down the wicket. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 10
SYCU's Sam Nash powers the arm over. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 10
SYCU's George Geaves made an impact in his first Haisman Shield game. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 10
SYCU's George Geaves spins the seam. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 10
SYCU's Tyler Green returns ball to bowler. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 9 of 10
SYCU's Oliver Swain after forcing a dot ball. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 10 of 10
SYCU's Hugh Trewin takes the pill at the top of his mark. Photo by Rechelle ZammitBut SYCU gave the Bloods a fright.
Stepping into vice-captaincy this summer, Tyler Green was out to prove he could take the mantle as United’s best player.
In a 112-run opening partnership, largely led by Green, United thrust itself into winning contention.
SYCU’s Oliver Swain let Green take control, the vice-skipper on 81 off 77 balls as Swain skied a Dylan Hardy delivery to depart on 23.
While it was a promising start from SYCU, the Hardy wicket invited the English international into the contest - and he spun his way into control.
Geaves was run out for 13 before Shobhit Sabharwal was caught off Hardy for a three-ball duck.
Then the collapse added Green, seven runs away from a century, with Hardy the game-changer again to dismiss the opener on 93.
Hardy was on a hat-trick after SYCU’s Max Henderson was caught in the field off his first delivery, and would take another two wickets, plus orchestrate a run out, to see SYCU lose 10-47.
The Bloods will be counting their blessings for securing Hardy’s talents, as he finished with 6-26 career-best figures off 6.2 overs, leading the club to an 82-run victory.
Karramomus gained a bonus point in the win and sit second on the Haisman Shield ladder, with the annual ‘Killa Cup’ against Tatura scheduled to be a round two belter.
Meanwhile, SYCU will take positives from the result, with hopes it can give another scare to Kyabram in its first home stand.
THE GAME
Karramomus 5-241 (Mitchell McGrath 120 not out, Cooper Delahey 71, Grayson Widmer 2-25) def. SYCU 159 (Tyler Green 93, Oliver Swain 23, Dylan Hardy 6-26)
STAR PLAYER:
Dylan Hardy (Karramomus): Difficult to split McGrath and Hardy, but as SYCU’s openers looked unbeatable, Hardy ended the triple-figure partnership in his first over, before forcing a collapse with five more wickets and a run out. Ultimately the game-changing man.