Heading into round nine's one-day Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield match between Nagambie and Karramomus, both sides were at opposite ends of the spectrum.
The Lakers had won all four of their one-day fixtures, while the Bloods were yet to win their first.
Nagambie hosted Karramomus at Nagambie Recreation Reserve on Saturday afternoon, with the host winning the toss and electing to bat.
Star batter Luke Nolan continued his blistering form, posting his third score in the 70s in four matches.
Opening the batting Nolan laid the foundation for Nagambie as he struck a considered 75 runs off 131 balls before being castled by Karramomus’ Lachie Keady.
Nolan has now moved into the top five run scorers in the competition with 329 at an average of 54.83.
The only other Lakers to reach double figures on Saturday were brothers Zac (37 not out off 35 balls) and Mitch (23 off 47) Winter-Irving.
Keady (2-39 off nine overs) and Zac Groombridge (2-38 off nine) were the only multiple wicket-takers for the visitors as Nagambie finished its innings on 5-164.
Karramomus got off to a sluggish start in their response, with opener Jackson Darkes-Sutcliffe departing early.
Captain Mitch McGrath soon joined his fellow opener in the sheds as veteran Mark Nolan (3-2 from six overs) began to turn the screws on the Bloods.
As Nagambie applied the pressure the wickets started to tumble as Karramomus’ top-order crumbled.
The Bloods were left stranded on 5-20 after 8.5 overs, with the possibility of a tight contest quickly evaporating.
Lower-order batters Groombridge (25 off 82), Luke Forge (18 off 43) and Keady (18 off 18) helped the visitors reach triple figures, but the match was over soon after.
Mitch Winter-Irving took three wickets for the Lakers, while off-season recruit James Wilson claimed two scalps.
Karramomus was bowled out for 100 after 38.2 overs, handing Nagambie a 64-run victory.
THE GAME
Nagambie 5-164 (Luke Nolan 75, Zac Winter-Irving 37*, Zac Groombridge 2-38) d Karramomus 100 (Zac Groombridge 25, Mark Nolan 3-2, Mitch Winter-Irving 3-23)
STAR PLAYER
Luke Nolan (Nagambie): The Lakers’ trusty wicketkeeper has been in fine touch with the willow and that form continued on Saturday. Nolan guided his side to a competitive first innings total before taking five catches behind the stumps. He is averaging 54.83 this season and has hit four 50s.
After the Christmas break, Nagambie will host Katandra in a two-day fixture that could decide who does and doesn’t qualify for finals.
The top seven sides in Haisman Shield this season are so tightly packed that each win or loss can see the top six move around like a game of snakes and ladders.
Karramomus’ sole victory for the season was in a two-day fixture, meaning the Bloods are still in the hunt for a finals place in the longer format.
When cricket returns — aside from a single one-dayer between Euroa and Shepparton Youth Club United on January 4 — in round 10 on January 11, Karramomus will host last year’s grand finalist Mooroopna.
Finals begin in March 2025.
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