Tantalising match-ups set to light up Cricket Shepparton grand final day

By Zac Standish

Mar 17, 2022

Key contributor: Captain Josh Preston will be vital for Mooroopna as they search for the B-grade premiership. Photo by Megan Fisher

After five months of fierce competition the Cricket Shepparton season reaches its crescendo on Saturday afternoon, as grand final action descends on grounds across the region.

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In Clyde Young Shield B-grade action, minor premier Mooroopna will be hoping to avenge its heartbreaking loss in last year’s decider as it faces Northerners at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve.

The Cats have been the measuring stick of the competition all season long, with a balanced batting line-up led by Joel May and experienced bowling attack headlined by Josh Preston leading them to an impressive home-and-away season record of 10-2.

They did receive a major scare in last week’s semi-final, however, scraping over the line by two runs in a thrilling contest against Tatura on their Mooroopna Recreation Reserve home deck, leaving them somewhat vulnerable heading into this weekend.

The Jets on the other hand have peaked at the right time, producing an upset win in the qualifying final against Numurkah before crushing Kyabram in the semi to head into this decider filled with confidence.

Invergordon and Undera square off in the Jim McGregor Shield C-grade grand final at Kyabram Recreation Reserve.

Finishing second and third on the ladder respectively, the path to the decider has been incredibly different for both teams.

Invergordon has been mightily impressive during the past fortnight, piling 250 on Kyabram in the qualifying final, courtesy of a Lachlan Gilligan century, before bowling Karramomus out for 33 in last week’s semi to punch its ticket to the big dance.

Scintillating form: Lachlan Gilligan will be vital to Invergordon’s hopes of a Jim McGregor Shield C-grade flag on Saturday. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

While Undera was shocked by Karramomus in the first week of finals, it utilised its second chance to upset minor premier Mooroopna by six runs in a thrilling semi-final.

After occupying the top two positions on the ladder for most of the season, Pine Lodge and Mooroopna will battle it out at Kialla Park Reserve for the SJ Perry Shield D-grade title.

When the sides met for their only home and away season meeting in round 15, the Lodgers were dominant, piling 303 on Mooroopna in the first innings to run away with a 106-run win.

But expect a much more competitive performance from the Cats this time around, who after bowling Karramomus out for 71 in the semi-final, will be brimming with confidence ahead of the decider.

Rounding out the grand final action will be Waaia and Nagambie in the Whitelock Shield E-grade decider at Kialla Park Reserve 2.

Finishing third and fourth on the ladder respectively, both sides pulled off semi-final upsets to qualify for the big dance, with the Lakers knocking off minor premier Old Students by six wickets and Waaia easily accounting for Mooroopna by five wickets.

Set to be an intriguing battle on the hard wicket at Kialla, this clash will be sure to go down to the wire as both teams look to ride their late season momentum into a premiership triumph.