Heading into round eight of the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield, seven sides had only lost one match throughout the first half of the season.
This means the difference between winning and losing this fixture is huge for Katandra or Central Park-St Brendan’s, as it could mean being placed anywhere between first and seventh come the final round of the year.
The Eagles have struggled with the willow across their first six games, with only opener Ben Clurey having struck more than 130 runs for the season.
Katandra was also missing its damaging import and opening bowler Seth Westley who has taken 17 wickets across his first few games as an Eagle.
For Central Park-St Brendan’s, spinner Jarrod Wakeling and batter Connor Hayes posed the most risk for the opposition.
The Tigers were roaring against the Eagles early on Saturday afternoon at Katandra Recreation Reserve.
The home side won the toss and elected to bat, but Central Park-St Brendan’s soon took control as Katandra fell to 3-15 after 5.3 overs.
Seasoned veterans Ramadan Yze (2-27 from 13 overs) and Dwain Vidler (2-27 from 12) were prominent early.
A couple of Eagles made starts with the bat, such as Ben Pedretti (21 runs off 50 balls) and Mitch Black (13 off 40), but it appeared none could go on and post a significant score.
Max Hooper and Wakeling chipped in for a couple of wickets, while Brendan Scott and Tyler Larkin also snared a pole each.
Katandra's opening bowler-turned-all-rounder Corey Hickford came in at number seven and put on an impressive display with the willow.
Hickford struck 55 not out off 139 rocks as he anchored Katandra’s innings and allowed the Eagles to post a somewhat competitive total of 137.
The Tigers began their response with the bat well, denying the Eagles a wicket for the first 9.4 overs.
However, during his debut A-grade match, 14-year-old Dayne Wilson snicked off Rhiley Lau (5 from 28) to register his first A-grade wicket.
The Tigers’ other opening batter Andrew Boyington (9* off 36) and night watchman Vidler (2* off 2) survived the remaining seven balls of the day.
This Saturday, the pair of Tigers will return to the crease on 1-17, trailing by 120 runs.
THE GAME
Katandra 137 (Corey Hickford 55*, Ben Pedretti 21, Max Hooper 2-13) leads Central Park-St Brendan’s 1-17 (Andrew Boyington 9*, Rhiley Lau 5, Dayne Wilson 1-1)
