Gallery | Waaia claims Higher-grade T20 title after Thursday night stoush with Mooroopna

It was exactly the kind of atmosphere one comes to expect when Waaia and Mooroopna meet, but there was a trophy at stake this time.

Waaia elected to set the pace on its home deck and Jordan Cleeland looked like doing that in a big way from the opening spot.

While fellow opener Liam Evans would see his batting struggles continue in 2024-25, undone by Josh Preston on 11, the door would soon open for coach Mitch Cleeland to bring the fireworks show up north.

Sending Mooroopna’s attack to the ropes on no fewer than 10 occasions — five fours and another five maximums — he raised the bat off those runs alone in an explosive display typical of the format.

At a strike rate of almost 200, Mitch supercharged the Bombers’ innings before finally holing out off the bowling of Jack Gaskill, whose sole wicket was inarguably the most crucial.

The Cats were able to slow their roll in the latter stages, but quite some damage had been done as the victory target ultimately shook out at 157.

It’s safe to say the start Mooroopna had, while there was some short-term hope as Will Hale and Joel May opened, could hardly have been less convincing once that partnership was broken.

May’s dismissal, in particular, fired up the home side and faithful alike as Will Trower completed a spectacular juggling double-clutch grab off a shot that looked destined for the rope.

The pain train was set in full motion through the middle order as Harvey Walker went on a tear, his three points of damage leaving Mooroopna reeling at 5-48.

When the visitor needed it most, coach Henry Barrow and Will Wood found answers out in the middle as balls started to zing off the middle of the bat.

For the first time all evening, it seemed like Waaia might have been on the back foot when those two put the pedal to the metal in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it 44-run stand.

A couple of catches inches away from being maximums were the types of moments which proved Mooroopna’s undoing, in particular Gaskill, who had to walk after a full delivery was caught just inside the boundary — despite vehement protests.

Didn’t those in red just love it? Quite a send-off ensued.

A handful of tense moments in the middle were soon assuaged by Waaia’s comfortable 34-run win being confirmed, earning trophies in back-to-back seasons after taking the 2023-24 one-day title.

Mitch Cleeland was adamant that despite the Bombers’ majority control of the game, it almost never felt truly safe.

“In T20, it’s relatively hard to contain at the start when you can only have two fielders out,” Cleeland said.

“The scores probably reflect that in both innings when the spinners came on and made it a bit harder.

“It probably wasn’t (secure) until Henry Barrow got out. We know what he can do and, until we had him out, it was game in the balance the whole time.

“Even that last couple of overs, where it was 40-odd required, you never feel quite comfortable, but it was nice after he got out.”

Cleeland made sure to reserve a special mention for Evans, who made sure to create an impact on the game through a terrific bowling return of 3-20 from his four overs.

“His bowling all year has been top notch,” Cleeland said.

“It’s just been trying to find a way to get him a few runs, but he’s a barometer with the ball.

“Without Jesse Trower tonight, he really stood up for us, which was great to see.”