Cricket Shepparton is set to crown its junior premiers with grand finals across each of its age groups set to take place this weekend.
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Waaia and Northerners will take to the field for the first of two days of play on Friday night, with Notre Dame-St Brendan’s and Numurkah Blue facing off in the under-12 A-grade decider on Friday night as well.
Then on Sunday Northerners will do battle against Tatura, and Nagambie will take on Karramomus Team Trevaskis in the under-14 A-grade and B-grade grand finals.
In the under-16 B decider, Waaia will be looking to replicate a feat accomplished by the Fitzroy Lions back in the 1916 VFL season.
The Lions won the wooden spoon that year in the four-team competition but went on the win the premiership after defeating Carlton in the grand final.
Now Waaia can do the same.
The Bombers too earned the wooden spoon, but advanced to the finale after defeating top side Nagambie by 74 runs in the semis.
Kaleb Gilmour was the star with the bat that day for Waaia with a magnificent knock of 58, while Oliver Ruscoe also made an impressive 43.
Will Trower was making the ball sing in the second innings for the Bombers, taking an eye-popping 6-11 as Nagambie was all-out well short of the required total.
Waaia’s grand final opponent, Northerners, advanced to the big dance after an emphatic nine-wicket win over Karramomus Tatura.
The combined side batted first but were limited to 9-78 from their allotted 25 overs.
Northerners made quick work of chasing down that score, reaching 1-79 with more than 10 overs to spare.
Openers Nathaniel Timson and Sean Miles led the way for Northerners, making 28 runs and 19 runs respectively before they both retired not-out.
In the under-14 A-grade grand final, Northerners will face Tatura after both sides claimed upset victories in the semi-finals.
Fourth-placed Tatura stunned first-placed Euroa, prevailing in a tight encounter.
With Euroa batting first, Jack Walters was the top performer, making 28 runs before he was out bowled.
He was the only Euroa batter to reach double figures, however, as his side was all-out for 76.
Tatura opener Ben O'Connell (25) helped his side get off to a good start, with Tat in a solid spot at 0-23.
But the wickets started to fall as Euroa battled back with the ball to have Tat at 4-41.
Tatura got to within 10 runs but lost two more wickets late, before eventually surpassing Euroa’s total by reaching 8-79.
In the other semi, Northerners produced a stellar run chase to advance to the grand final.
Notre Dame-St Brendan’s were all out for 116, but knocks of 37 not-out from Kyren Dawson and 40 not-out by Oscar Buckland saw Northerners earn a six-wicket victory.
Nagambie will take on Karramomus in the under-14 B grand final.
The top two teams this season, Nagambie is undefeated and bested Notre Dame-St Brendan’s by 67 runs in the semi.
Karramomus meanwhile defeated Mooroopna by three wickets.
Notre Dame-St Brendan’s and Numurkah Blue are set to meet in the under-12 A-grade decider.
The combined team has a chance to complete a perfect season with a victory, having not lost a game so far.
Notre Dame-St Brendan’s beat Tatura by 33 runs in the semi-final while Numurkah prevailed over Karramomus with a six-wicket victory.
Under-16 B-grade grand final
Northerners vs Waaia
4.50pm at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve
Friday, February 24 and Friday, March 3
Under-14 A-grade grand final
Northerners vs Tatura
9.00am at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve
Sunday, February 26
Under-14 B-grade grand final
Nagambie vs Karramomus Team Trevaskis
9.00am at Nagambie Recreation Reserve
Sunday, February 26
Under-12 A-grade grand final
Notre Dame-St Brendan’s vs Numurkah Blue
4.30pm at St Brendan’s Oval
Friday, February 24