Haisman Shield | Waaia out for revenge in semi-final clash against rival Mooroopna

By Zac Standish

Mar 10, 2022

Shot at redemption: Strike bowler Mitch Cleeland will be vital to Waaia’s hopes of atoning for its grand final loss to Mooroopna last season. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

From the moment the final ball was bowled in last year’s thrilling Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield grand final Waaia has been itching to exact revenge on Mooroopna.

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While the stage isn’t quite what it was 12 months ago, the Bombers will get their chance this weekend as they square off with the Cats in what is set to be an enthralling semi-final.

The Bombers were stunned in last weekend’s qualifying final, suffering their first loss of the season in a low-scoring clash against sixth-placed Numurkah.

Fortunate to have secured the double chance, Waaia captain Brayden Carey said his team was as fired up as ever to put its best cricket on the park at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve this weekend.

“It definitely hurt last year, we got into a position where either team could have won and unfortunately, we were just on the wrong end of it,” he said.

“It is a healthy rivalry we have built up with them now and we look forward to playing against any good team and when there is a bit on the line like there is this weekend, it makes it all the more exciting.

“We are out to make a grand final and it just so happens that Mooroopna stands in our way, so we are looking forward to the opportunity of hopefully flipping the switch on them.”

This will be the second clash between the two teams since that fabled March afternoon.

Waaia got some satisfaction in round 11 when it defeated the Cats by six runs in another absolute thriller.

But while his side will take some confidence out of the regular season victory, Carey said it would be a completely different game this time around.

“It was good to get over the line, they looked like they might snatch it from us in the back end and it was great to have that win under our belt,” he said.

“I certainly wouldn’t say we are even from last year though, them winning a grand final and us winning a regular season game is hardly comparable, so if we win this week, we’ll feel a little better about it.”

Mooroopna will be looking to continue its winning form after a gripping four-run victory against Nagambie in last week’s qualifying final.

Dominating the game through the early stages, a stunning 128-run stand between Nolan brothers Mark and Luke threatened to take the game away from the Cats, before a stunning return catch by Jack Gaskill flipped the game back in their favour.

Mooroopna coach Luke Zanchetta said his side was beaming with confidence and excited to face off against rival Waaia once again.

“There is an awesome vibe among the group at the moment,’’ he said.

“Last week gave us a lot of confidence we can stand up in those big games and come away with a win which is something we have really prided ourselves on the last two years.’

“For some reason (us and Waaia) like to let our games go down to the wire, we take a lot of confidence out of how our top six has stood up over the last couple of months, so if they can continue to do that and put a sizeable total we feel very confident we can come away with a win.”