Coming out of the mid-season break with major questions surrounding their batting, the Bloods managed to prove the pundits wrong as they chased down a sizeable total of 153 to come away with the three-wicket victory.
Karramomus captain Mitch McGrath said the entire club was thrilled to see its senior side on the winners’ list for the first time in season 2021-22.
“It was a pretty exciting and nail-biting game and everyone down at the club is just stoked we were able to end up on the winning side,” McGrath said.
“We have put in a lot of hard work over the year, so to finally get some reward it gives us great confidence and belief heading into the rest of the season.”
Winning the toss and bowling first on a tricky wicket, the Bloods made the most of the conditions early to have the Magpies in a spot of bother early at 3-20.
That would bring the experienced Andrew Squires to the crease, who along with Jake Smith went about resurrecting the Euroa innings with a 50-run stand.
Posting a critical half-century, an inspired piece of fielding would have Squires run out for 54 and turn the game on its head as the Bloods’ bowlers managed to rediscover their groove.
Taking the final six wickets for 19 runs, Karramomus went into the break with all the momentum as it needed 154 to come away with that coveted first victory of the season.
For a side that has struggled so mightily with the bat, however, the chase would have to be its best performance of the year as the openers strode to the middle of Vibert Reserve with a point to prove.
Needing to get away to a fast start, opener Zac Groombridge and number three Michael Mandaradoni would step up for the home side, putting on a crucial 72-run stand to have the chase well under control at the halfway point.
If the Bloods’ faithful thought this was going to be a walk in the park at 1-79, they would be cruelly mistaken as the Magpies’ bowlers roared their way back into the contest.
Removing Mandaradoni (44) and Groombridge (22) in quick succession, Karramomus’ middle order began to wobble, losing another four quick wickets to have them under extreme pressure at 7-139.
With memories of past batting collapses haunting the finish, the Bloods would hold firm with a critical 15-run stand between Lachlan Keady and Billy Jones getting them to the drought-breaking victory.
McGrath said it was pleasing to see the batting unit finally click.
“I was really happy with how we went about the chase, Mick Mandaradoni and Zac Groombridge put down a great platform in what was match-winning partnership for us,” he said.
“We had a bit of a mini-scare through the middle there, but to absorb the pressure and get the job done was fantastic and will be great for our side’s development moving forward.”
THE GAME
Karramomus 7-154 (Michael Mandaradoni 44, Bayden Bailey 25, Fletcher Paul 2-25) d Euroa 153 (Andrew Squires 54, Jake Smith 47, Jason Ibbotson 3-23)
STAR PLAYER
Michael Mandaradoni (Karramomus): Coming in with his side under early pressure, Mandaradoni would provide the calming influence that led the Bloods to their maiden win of the 2021-22 season. Partnering opener Zac Groombridge, Mandaradoni’s 44 was as important as they come, as he set the platform for the tail to be able to scrape over the line.
