There’s no rust on Mooroopna at the moment.
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After a fortnight off Luke Zanchetta’s men returned from the bye with gusto as they wrapped up first innings points against Northerners with a storming showing with the ball.
Electing to bowl, Mooroopna spun the Jets’ jaw as it bowled the hosts out for 71, chasing the runs down for the loss of three wickets to sit at 3-82 heading into day two.
Zanchetta, who led the line with 5-30 off 14 overs, was stoked with how his troops hampered and hounded with the pill.
“It was obviously a really good day; we got the first innings points already on day one, which is pretty rare that it happens, so we’re very happy about that,” he said.
“Henry Barrow bowled without luck and I suppose I got luck at the other end.
“The way we bowled in partnership I thought was awesome; we were both bowling for each other and I just got the luck.
“And then (Jack) Gaskill came on and did what good spinners do and cleaned up the tail quite quickly.
“It was a good day with the ball, and then the bat. A couple of boys got a bit of time in the middle, which is what we need.”
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Let’s do this: Northerners’ Joshua Sidebottom high-fives a team mate. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 10
Two there: Mooroopna’s Brodie McDonald. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 10
Aim and fire: Northerners fielder Bayden Hutchins. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 10
Drop and run: Mooroopna’s Joel May. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 10
In full swing: Northerners’ Declan Newbound. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 10
On guard: Mooroopna’s Tasman Hall. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 10
Adjusting the field: Northerners’ Joshua Sidebottom. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 10
On his haunches: Northerners wicket keeper Simon Marshall. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 10
Keep it ticking: Mooroopna batters Joel May and Brodie McDonald. Photo by Megan FisherImage 10 of 10
One brings two: Northerners celebrate a wicket. Photo by Megan FisherMooroopna swerved a stumble to cruise to the runs after losing Tasman Hall, Paul McDonald and Joel May in the space of nine overs.
Batting down the order, Brodie McDonald (20 not out) steadied the ship alongside Englishman Matt Price (23 not out) to guide the visitors over the line and lock in second on the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield ladder.
Earlier, it was Zanchetta turning all the screws for Mooroopna.
His laser-accurate bowling, paired with Henry Barrow’s lightning pace, prevented the Jets from scoring with any freedom, and as soon as Declan Newbound tried to change that, he was out.
Newbound launched Zanchetta for six on the first ball of the fourth over, but played right into the Mooroopna opener’s hands as he was clean bowled the next ball.
But Zanchetta was only getting started.
He claimed the next four scalps for chips, conceding few runs as Northerners captain Stu Turner provided the only real resistance for the Jets.
Jack Gaskill (4-16) entered late and ripped through the tail, while Barrow finally got his reward with a wicket.
Northerners slumped to 71 and done with only Turner remaining on 25 not out.
From there, Mooroopna played the game smart and, bar a few casualties, chased down the total in 30 overs.
Zanchetta admired the batting displays of Brodie and Paul McDonald, the latter elevated into the A-grade fray in the absence of Jac Smith-Williams.
He also cherished Mooroopna's position on the eve of finals.
“Individually everyone’s going really well and we’re a really close knit team,” Zanchetta said.
“That always helps when you’ve got ins and outs; we’ve got a bit of a squad that’s become really close and we’re very happy that we’ve sewn up second spot.
“But as we know, like last year, it doesn’t mean a thing if you lose the first game because you could be missing.
“It’s something we’re happy with, second, but we’re under no illusion that come finals time, we need to win to stay in.”
Senior Sports Journalist