NUMURKAH’S A grade cricketers have won their way into Cricket Shepparton’s Haisman Shield grand final, after defeating Mooroopna on the first day of their two day semi final match last weekend and will be looking to make it two premierships in a row.

However, there is now some doubt, as of yesterday afternoon, as to whether Saturday’s grand final will go ahead.

Numurkah iss due to play Nagambie this Saturday at Deakin Reserve in a replay of last week’s qualifying final, commencing at 11am.

Numurkah captain, Liam Gledhill said, “We have not played at Deakin Reserve all year and it will be interesting to see the pitch.”

“Whoever bats well should be in control, we will bat first if we win the toss, runs on the board are extremely important in finals.”

After falling to Nagambie the previous week, Numurkah had to play and travel to Mooroopna, where they lost the toss and were sent in to field.

The Blues’ bowlers were on fire early and Tim Braybon struck with two quick wickets to have Mooroopna 2/9.

The home side steadied and took the score to 30 before Michael Eckard broke through, removing the remaining opening batsman.

Mooroopna’s Shoaib Shaikh was holding the innings together until he was dismissed by Liam Gledhill for a fine 48, leaving the opposition in trouble with the score on 5/80.

Seven runs later, the home side lost two for none as it slumped to 7/87.

Matt Cline returned to the crease and cleaned up the tail, claiming the last two wickets to fall and Mooroopna was all out for 99 off 48 overs.

Wickets were evenly spread amongst the bowlers, with Mitch Grandell, Liam Gledhill, Tim Braybon and Matt Cline snaring two wickets each and finishing with figures of 2/9, 2/13, 2/16 and 2/20 respectively, whilst Michael Eckard captured 1/11.

In reply, Numurkah opened with Matt Price and Will Arnel, with Price the first to depart for one, with the score on 12.

Dylan Grandell joined Arnel at the crease and together the pair put on 41 runs before Grandell was out for a well made 33. Arnel was out three runs later for 16 and Numurkah was now 3/56, still requiring a further 44 runs for victory.

Sean Downie and Liam Gledhill batted well, and the score was on 88 when Gledhill fell for 18.

Josh Smith joined Downie at the crease and, once they had surpassed 99, the Mooroopna captain conceded the game, much to the delight of the Numurkah players.

“It was good to win on the first day,” Gledhill said.

“It was a comprehensive win and a good team effort.”

Gledhill is looking forward to next week’s match which will be Numurkah’s third grand final in a row.

“Nagambie have some players who are in pretty good nick at the moment, and we will need to ensure we try to take control of them early,” Gledhill said.

“We know that if we can play to our capabilities we will be good enough to win.”

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