Mitch Grandell was more than happy to flip the script with a masterful showing that turned a finals-shaping Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield clash on its head.
In desperate need of momentum, the Blues came out firing with emphasis after the Cats elected to bat on their home deck, with Matt Cline doing the early damage.
Grandell would steal the show before long, though, flanked by the three-wicket haul of Raguvaran Aravinthan.
THE GAME
Mooroopna 143 (Joel May 34, Nick Breslin 22, Mitch Grandell 5-10, Raguvaran Aravinthan 3-38) v Numurkah 1-66 (James Du Toit 22, Raguvaran Aravinthan 20*, Jack Gaskill 1-26)
Grandell’s outing was nothing short of ruthless, collecting elite figures of 5-10 from a 13-over destruction of Mooroopna’s middle order.
What visiting captain Tim Arnel described as “a good batting surface” was showing anything but such qualities, as Mooroopna found itself rolled in its biggest capitulation since the Karramomus debacle ― which occurred on the same wicket.
There will be no room for shock and awe come next Saturday though, when Josh O’Dwyer and Ragu Aravinthan resume at the crease needing 78 runs to lock in a statement victory.
In the context of this season’s jumbled finals push, the significance of a likely Numurkah victory to halt Mooroopna’s rampaging win streak cannot be overstated.
Arnel takes nothing for granted, with sights firmly set on seeing out the fixture.
“We carried the momentum in from last week’s really good performance,” Arnel said.
“Without Liam Gledhill and Jordan O’Dwyer, a couple of boys stepped up and played their roles really well.”
Though Grandell took figures that would rival any individual effort in the Haisman this season, Arnel’s greatest praise was reserved elsewhere.
“Matt Cline bowled exceptionally and he’s the number one bowler in the comp, in my opinion,” Arnel said.
“We piled the pressure on and fielded really well and Josh took his chance opening the batting.
“Ragu definitely showed his class there too in getting us to stumps.”
Day one will have come as a crushing blow to the Cats, hoping to take advantage of whatever result would emerge at Deakin Reserve next week.
That aside, Arnel takes the approach that Lenny Kravitz famously reinforced ― it ain’t over until it’s over.
“Hopefully we get through it next week with nine wickets in hand, but we’re under no illusions about the job being done,” Arnel said.
“We’re just really focused on the 78 runs, but if we come out with the same mindset, I’ve got no doubt those boys will steer us home.
“This is the time of year where good players come out and produce and we’ve got many of those.
“To produce against a top team like Mooroopna is great, I was really proud of the whole team’s effort.”
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