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Gallery | Shepparton United takes top spot after titanic GMC clash
Shepparton United has moved to the summit in Goulburn Murray Cricket women’s competition with a crucial 31-run triumph over Nagambie at Princess Park on Sunday.
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As one of the competition’s two remaining unbeaten sides Nagambie may have taken the slight pre-match edge, but nothing is determined on paper in top-of-the-table clashes.
Mel Saunders played to the level from the outset, starring after the early dismissal of Dianne Poole and putting up a remarkable 87-run stand alongside Jessie Barassi for the second United wicket.
Her 43 off 42 balls (three fours) set the standard, but the Lakers’ attack battled back brilliantly despite being unable to remove Saunders.
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Brace yourself: Nagambie's Elli Maltman with a direct run-out while Sarah Villinger watches on. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 2 of 22
Nagambie's Sarah Villinger looks at the umpire after witnessing teammate Elli Maltman's heroics in the field. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 3 of 22
What an effort: Nagambie's Elli Maltman is swamped by teammates following an incredible run-out. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 4 of 22
Cut through it: Shepparton United's Thushali Premarathna just misses one outside. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 5 of 22
Steaming in: Nagambie's Chelsea Kennedy makes her way down to bowl. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 6 of 22
Knocked over: Shepparton United's Thushali Premarathna is bowled. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 7 of 22
Bails gone: Shepparton United's Thanuja Silva is bowled by Sharay Silvarich. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 8 of 22
Slogging it: Shepparton United's Jessie Barassi gets set to sweep one. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 9 of 22
See you later: Shepparton United's Natalie Owen gets bowled. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 10 of 22
Tactics: Nagambie's Kelsey Abbott plots her next move. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 11 of 22
Touch down: Shepparton United's Mel Saunders turns on the jets. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 12 of 22
Release: Nagambie's Shelley Houston pitches a short ball down. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 13 of 22
Eyeing it up: Shepparton United's Stephanie Simmonds sees the ball on its way. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 14 of 22
Sweep fell short: Shepparton United's Lora Owen is retired on a big swing. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 15 of 22
Eyes on the fence: Shepparton United's Lora Owen has runs on her mind. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 16 of 22
Roll it over: Nagambie's Sarah Villinger unleashes the spin. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 17 of 22
Turning it: Nagambie's Sarah Villinger twists through her bowling action. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 18 of 22
Playing it full: Shepparton United's Thanuja Silva gets ready. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 19 of 22
Headed for the boundary: Shepparton United's Mel Saunders seeks to drive through mid-on. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 20 of 22
Sure hands: Nagambie's Sharay Silvarich holds onto a catch. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 21 of 22
Got her: Nagambie's Amber Langham celebrates a catch with Shae Merrifield. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 22 of 22
Elation: Nagambie's Sarah Villinger is embraced by wicket keeper Shae Merrifield. Photo by Aydin PayneSharay Silvarich brought the intensity up several notches with a devastating tear late in the innings, restricting United to 8-116.
The Lakers’ chase could hardly have started much worse, going three down for five runs before a starring partnership of Nagambie’s own would rescue the innings.
Kait Carracher notched an explosive 50, finding the rope eight times and carrying a 71-run stand for the fourth pole to keep a high-stakes affair tense.
The unstable batting resumed shortly after Mel Saunders nabbed the crucial scalp, with the Lakers falling in a heap to lose 6-9 in rounding off the innings.
Nagambie (5-1) has tumbled from leader down to fourth with a single defeat, now embroiled in a feisty four-way tussle with United (6-1), Mooroopna (5-0) and Echuca Green (5-1).
Shepparton United will hit the road to ensure it can hold on to top spot, facing the challenge of Katamatite (3-1-3).
Meanwhile, Nagambie will have a battle on its hands to bounce back on home soil this weekend against fellow contender Echuca Green.
Sports Journalist