Haisman Shield | Waaia secures much-needed win over Euroa to tighten grasp on sixth spot

And as has been the case for much of the past three seasons, it was the Bombers’ bowlers who answered the call, with six wickets between classy quicks Jesse Trower (3-14) and Jordan Cleeland (3-22) having them roll the Magpies for 143.

This came after they struggled early with the bat, as no Waaia player passed 30 to see it post a sub-par score of 158 in the first innings.

So despite there being some room for improvement leading into the finals, skipper Cleeland said it was good to get that winning feeling among the group again.

“It was probably a little bit closer than what we would have liked and that comes down to us not making enough runs on what was a good wicket, but luckily we were able to bowl well enough to secure the six points,” Cleeland said.

“It was really important to bank that win, it just lifts the morale of the group a bit and, hopefully, from here we can string a few wins together and build some momentum into the finals.

“Overall I would say this was just a crucial step in the right direction for us.”

Clumps of quick wickets proved to be Waaia’s kryptonite in the first innings, as a top-order collapse of 4-21 and late collapse of 5-30 had the Magpies sniffing an upset win.

Walter Jackson was the man who did the damage for Euroa taking 3-13, while Jye Bjorksten was also electric with his 2-10.

But what kept the Bombers’ innings together was some crucial starts by Cleeland (29), Brayden Summerville (26) and Tim Belford (20), whose efforts catapulted their side to a competitive score of 158.

“A big focus of ours at the moment is improving our batting and we were a little bit disappointed in how our batting innings ended up on Saturday,” Cleeland said.

“We are getting starts, so it is not from a lack of ability, it is more so just a lack of concentration for us at the moment.

“It is a little bit frustrating, but to get a win while not performing at your potential is certainly a confidence booster for us, so hopefully it all comes together at the right part of the season.”

With the game delicately poised at afternoon tea, Euroa took control of the chase early, as openers Vaughan Kirk (23) and Scott Hamilton (29) put on a 59-run stand to bring their team within 100 of the target.

But just as it looked like the home team was set to run away with the victory, the class of the Waaia quicks asserted themselves on the game.

Led by Trower and Jordan Cleeland, they instigated a stunning collapse where the Magpies lost 5-25.

Number three Nathan Hill still remained at the crease however, and he took responsibility of the chase with a gritty 33.

However, the skipper would bring himself back into the fold late and take two crucial scalps, as the Euroa tail crumbled from 5-120 to be all out for 143.

“It was a nice wicket to bowl on, especially if you pitched it up and hit the seam there was enough there, and Jesse really thrived in the conditions with a crucial spell for us,” Cleeland said.

“Everyone else then chipped in, played their role and eventually we were able to wear them down and come away with the win.

“I can’t fault anyone with the ball at the moment, it’s been really good.”

With the win Waaia surged seven points clear of Nagambie in sixth spot and within striking distance of passing Numurkah in fifth if it gets the job done over Karramomus this weekend.