Sport
Gallery | Pine Lodge breaks through to claim first Haisman Shield victory in a home thriller
A moment in time to be savoured is in the annals at Lemnos Recreation Reserve.
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The race between Pine Lodge and Shepparton Youth Club United in the north-eastern fringes of town appeared too close to call after a tight-fisted day one when Sam Nash scooped the headlines with a huge day out, claiming seven victims.
In spite of that, though, the home side had gallantly powered its way to the best total seen in its first season back among the big boys of the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield, and the tally of 195 looked defendable.
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Pine Lodge's Liam Trevaskis flicks the rock around. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 10
Pine Lodge's Darshana Prasad Loku Hettige starred on day one. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 10
Shepparton Youth Club United's Rehan Bari played a typically important role in the chase. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 10
Pine Lodge's Travis Waters kept the run rate low during his spell. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 10
Pine Lodge's James Nugent claimed the valuable wicket of Bari. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 10
Pine Lodge's Cooper Adkins was key with the ball. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 10
Shepparton Youth Club United's Sebastian Menzhausen couldn't have done any more to keep his side in it. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 10
Shepparton Youth Club United's Rehan Bari keeps the legs moving in driving a run home. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 9 of 10
Pine Lodge's Emile Haratbar scoops the ball after another dot delivery. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 10 of 10
Pine Lodge'sThomas Phillips gives the ball a quick shine. Photo by Rechelle ZammitHaving been dismissed for double-figure tallies at least once in three of their previous five games, the Lodgers had perhaps a slight upper hand as play resumed on Saturday with their adversaries at 3-30.
The visitors’ leading run scorer Seb Menzhausen was not one planning to go quietly into the night by any means, though.
Menzhausen and batting barometer Rehan Bari went about the job like they had all the wiggle room on Earth, grinding and pushing their way to a 62-run stand for a fourth wicket which, even once claimed, firmly swung things the combine’s way.
While Bari had to say goodbye on 33, Menzhausen soaked up deliveries and minutes at the crease like the freshest of sponges, putting a firm stop to everything coming his way — but still finding time to reach the boundary on eight occasions.
It was a truly Herculean effort to bring matters to the day’s dying stages as Menzhausen fended off more than 40 overs of cricket single-handedly, but breakthroughs were still occurring around him.
Nash could not replicate his bowling heroics with willow in hand and his departure left the Princess Park natives with three wickets to guide them and more than 40 runs still on the board.
It looked all but sealed when Joe Hammond’s two-ball duck brought matters down to Menzhausen and Ethan McLaren, but the former was resilient still.
How fitting it would be, though, that the first set of points in Haisman Shield competition for Pine Lodge would be sealed through its ace Tiron Fernando, who bowled through Menzhausen to complete a nail-biting nine-run triumph.
THE GAME
Pine Lodge 195 (Darshana Prasad Loku Hettige 79, Hayden Cann 25, Sam Nash 7-30) d Shepparton Youth Club United 186 (Sebastian Menzhausen 70, Rehan Bari 33, Tiron Fernando 3-37)
STAR PLAYER
Darshana Prasad Loku Hettige (Pine Lodge): Defined day one with his knock putting him head and shoulders above as the Lodgers made a competitive affair of it. In a side looking to turning its batting fortunes around, look to this name for impact.
Captain Travis Waters was thrilled to get the monkey off the back.
“It was good reward for everyone and the young fellas had a good time last night I think, so it’s always good,” Waters said.
“It’s just a massive relief for the club. We had a plan in place and it’s good to get something back.
“We were well aware going into the day that Rehan had just come in as a premier bat and, stats-wise, we know Seb’s had a reasonable year.
“There was a bit going on, but the hard work paid off eventually.”
The plan isn’t to stop there, of course.
Having broken the duck and announced itself as a proper player in Haisman Shield, Pine Lodge aims now for bigger and better things while there’s still time left this season.
“We’ve got ourselves in good positions to win in a couple of games, but haven’t had the experience to go on with it,” Waters said.
“We’re definitely going to go into (the run home) full of confidence to see if we can get another win or two.
“It’ll be important to get some momentum into our second season in A-grade.”
Sports Journalist