Fast and furious: Shepparton United opener Jake Callow set on the path to victory post-haste.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Shepparton United may have expected to defend 225 far more comfortably than it did, with a valiant Northerners effort closing the final margin to 24 runs Saturday at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve.
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Jake Callow led the charge with a furious opening stanza, blasting 55 off 47 balls to lead off the game (seven fours, three sixes) as part of a 69-run opening partnership for United.
Rehan Bari would steal the headlines after the nine-ball duck by captain Jake Smith sent him in, though.
With 10 fours and a maximum, Bari picked up where Callow had left off as his 81 off 76 deliveries steered Shepparton United to 6-225.
THE GAME
Shepparton United 6-225 (R. Bari 83, J. Callow 55, S. Turner 2-28) d Northerners 201 (T. Sidebottom 64, M. Henderson 3-26, A. Lake 3-33)
STAR PLAYER
Jake Callow (Shepparton United): A half-century blitz to open up the contest and two late wickets to smother any Northerners recovery makes for a tidy outing indeed. Bari could be considered quite stiff to miss out after a sparkling middle innings
Northerners, unfancied after two blowout defeats to open their Haisman Shield campaign, carried on with aplomb once they hit the crease.
Trent Sidebottom proved a challenging opener to handle in his own right, with his 64 off 89 balls eclipsing his side’s entire tally (61 all out) from the previous week’s crushing defeat at Katandra.
They even threatened a major boilover at 3-146, but Abraham Lake’s middle-order heroics saw the quick dismissals of Sidebottom, Tim Brett and captain Stuart Turner to quell any remaining doubt.
To great lengths: Northerners’ Joshua Sidebottom secures the catch to finally dismiss Jake Callow.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Single is on: Shepparton United's Angus Lake takes a quick one.
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Megan Fisher
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It's all good: Shepparton United's Jack Callow and Angus Lake are all smiles.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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What next: Northerners' Tim Brett weighs up his next delivery.
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Megan Fisher
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With intent: Northerners' Declan Newbound starts his run-up.
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Megan Fisher
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Get it back in: Northerners' Jake Davidson tries to prevent a run.
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Megan Fisher
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Well played: Shepparton United's Angus Lake and Jake Callow meet as Callow brings up the 50.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Smith oversaw a surprisingly tough challenge.
“Whenever Shepp United plays Northerners, everyone always says, whatever form coming in doesn’t matter,” Smith said.
“We put on a good score, but we were only halfway done.
“We started poorly with the ball, like the Tatura game, but we fielded well and took our chances in the end.”
As Northerners started to mount a serious challenge on offence, Smith became grateful for the early blitz that had Shepparton United post a highly respectable total.
“I think Jake (Callow) played his role well,” Smith said.
“Something ‘Nashy’ (Sam Nash) has said from the start of the year is someone from the top four needs to make runs every week and the rest, just ‘do your job’.
“He’s been smashing them in the nets and it was good to see that translate into the middle with a few clean sixes.”
And, of course, plaudits must be reserved for the man vital to quelling the opposing force.
“Abe Lake was sensational, just stump-to-stump,” Smith said.
“He was really hard to play and his bowling partnership with Callow tightened up the screws.
“Max Henderson really stepped up as well, taking three up the top.”
A game Mooroopna outfit will set the table as host for Shepparton United in round four.
Northerners must hope their round three efforts can be built upon against a revitalised Kyabram on Saturday.
