The Eagles batted all day against a Lakers bowling line-up that featured star Mark Nolan, who currently sits second in the competition for wickets (36).
Katandra finished the match with a score of 7-305, well surpassing Nagambie’s first innings total of 124.
Although the result was far from desirable, a puzzling loss for Numurkah and a remarkable outright win for Kyabram lands the Lakers just inside finals contention, a mere point ahead of the ousted Blues.
However, Nagambie will need a big lift after Saturday’s game.
Katandra’s veteran batter Andrew Riordan took to the Lakers’ attack, retiring not out on 102 runs off 146 deliveries on day two with an innings that included 10 fours and two sixes.
Reward was few and far between for Nagambie, with Benjamin Tarran (2-45) and Josh Sanderson (2-120) the only bowlers to double up in the wickets column.
Speaking to the Shepparton News post match, Katandra co-captain Jedd Wright gave big raps to Nagambie’s bowlers despite the heavy scoreline.
“I thought the way ‘Riordo’ (Andrew Riordan) and Hadleigh (Sirrett) saw out the good bowlers — we certainly think Nagambie has the best bowling attack in the comp with their good seamers — they really weathered the storm and then once they got going they were able to bat on and made sure they put the game away,” he said.
“With the other results going certain ways, we just wanted to keep it in our own hands, and we were happy to get the win.”
Now, Nagambie’s focus switches to the massive task at hand.
The Lakers will play finals cricket at Waaia Recreation Reserve in a two-day match against the minor premiership-winning Bombers on Saturday and Sunday.
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