The first week of the Cricket Shepparton higher-grade and lower-grade T20 cricket competitions is in the books.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The first round was highlighted by several impressive performances, most notably Rhiley Lau, who played one of the best innings of the season for Central Park-St Brendan’s against Karramomus.
Tigers bowler Dwain Vidler (4-8 from 2.4 overs) helped bowl the Bloods out for an under-par score of 84 before a Lau hailstorm arrived as he struck an unbeaten 70 off 25 balls, including eight fours and six sixes.
That’s better than a boundary or greater every two balls.
Thanks to Lau and his opening partner Jack McCarten’s (15* from nine balls) efforts, the Tigers reached the required total in an incredible 5.4 overs to gain first qualification to the semi-final.
The second side to go straight through to the semis is Kyabram after dismantling Shepparton United by 66 runs.
The Redbacks were set up by a batting onslaught from their two Kyles, as Fitzgerald top-scored for the match with 82 from 51 balls (six fours, seven sixes), while Mueller came in for a quick-fire 46 from 20 balls (one four, five sixes).
The top score across Thursday’s games came from Old Students batter Felix Odell, who struck a classy 95 not out from 55 balls (11 fours, three sixes) as Students defeated Pine Lodge with one ball left in a thriller.
Haisman ladder leader Waaia cruised to victory over Northerners, winning by 30 runs.
Bombers batter Reinhardt Engler scored 39 from 26 balls (one four, four sixes), while opening bowler Brayden Summerville led with the ball, collecting 3-17 from his four overs.
Numurkah defeated Katandra in a tight contest after the Eagles needed 10 from the last over, but fell short to lose by one run.
Katandra’s Scott Richardson was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-18 (including one maiden) from his three overs.
Meanwhile in the lower-grade competition, Old Students, Karramomus, Invergordon Hawks and Katandra qualified for finals.
Northerners all-rounder Oscar Buckland was one of the highlights of the round as he claimed a maiden in his 3-11 from four overs against Invergordon (aptly nicknamed the FlagHawks).
Meanwhile, Students bowler Jacob Kinnane took 3-8 from his 3.2 overs to help his side defeat Mooroopna by 67 runs.
The next time these teams will play in the competitions will be the first round of finals on Thursday, February 1.