A GRADE CRICKET

By Nick McCabe

Euroa 6/217 (S Hamilton 62, Vaughn Kirk 52) defeated Shepp United 110 (W Jackson 2/14, C Paul 3/22)

A PICTURESQUE Saturday at Friendlies Oval, that is in remarkable condition thanks to Glenn Coridas and co, saw Euroa welcome Shepparton United for round seven of the Sherbourne Terrace Haisman Shield A Grade competition.

Euroa, looking to carry over their winning form from 2022 into the New Year, won the toss and elected to bat first.

Opening pair Vaughn Kirk and Scott Hamilton set the tone for Euroa posting scores of 52 and 62 respectively that shaped the game for the home side.

Cameos from Sham Dadallage (16) and Nic Hill (25) kept the runs flowing for Euroa as the Shepparton bowlers begun to tire in the scintillating heat.

Lachie Hill and Cohen Paul closed out the innings for Euroa with a 35 run partnership that left Euroa in the box seat at 6/217 after the allocated 45 overs.

With the ball everything that could go right for Euroa did, and everything that could go wrong for Shepparton United did.

Shepparton's top five batsmen were dismissed for a collective total of 29 runs, leaving the visitors in disarray.

Will Jackson (2/14) and Cohen Paul (3/22) led the charge but the standout to spectators was Euroa's tight fielding that really restricted the United batsmen.

Shepparton United's tail end provided Euroa with resistance as number 11 batsmen Hugh McGregor blasting 21 runs off 28 balls.

But ultimately this was too little, too late as Shepparton United were bowled out for 110.

B GRADE CRICKET

By Nick McCabe

Euroa 6/226 (J Bjorksten 70, A Ellis 62) defeated Katandra 110 (W Jackson 4/11, L Cooke 2/27)

RETURNING from the Christmas break, Euroa hosted Katandra at Memorial Oval for round seven of the Clyde Young Shield B Grade for the first match of 2023.

Euroa won the toss and elected to bat, determined to take full advantage of the flat wicket.

Carl Norton and Jye Bjorksten opened the batting, Norton was dismissed after 35 minutes at the crease for 12 runs.

However, Jye Bjorksten made the day his own posting a match defining knock that totaled to 70 runs and included six 4s and three 6s.

Alongside Bjorksten, Ashley Ellis set the match up for Euroa with a quick–fire 62 runs off 41 balls.

After 45 over Euroa registered a convincing total of 6/226.

In the field Euroa got off to the dream start with Henry Jackson ripping through the stumps of the Katandra opening batsman in the second ball of the innings.

The following Katandra batsmen all made solid starts to their respective innings however, failed to convert these starts into solid scores.

Euroa had five wicket takers, Walter Jackson the standout claiming 4/11.

With pressure building to score runs Katandra begun to take risks at the crease that inevitably did not pay off and the visitors were all out after 25 overs for 110.