The Lakers and Cats, alongside Shepparton Youth Club United and Kyabram, kicked off a new era at the weekend, having exited the Goulburn Murray Competition at the end of last season to align with their male counterparts in the Cricket Shepparton competition.
But there’s still history between Nagambie and Mooroopna, with the Cats claiming victory in the GMC decider last season to condemn the Lakers to runners-up, although Kait Carracher’s troops made sure they got off to a winning start in the newly-formed league on Sunday.
It was a gripping encounter that came down to the final few deliveries, however Nagambie did enough to pull off a thrilling four-run victory at Nagambie Recreation Reserve and get one back over Mooroopna.
Having lost the toss and been sent in to bat, the Lakers were reeling early as opener Amber Langham departed for four, while ever-reliable skipper Carracher had a rare slip-up, falling for a duck and leaving Nagambie in trouble at 2-12.
Reigning GMC best-and-fairest Breanna Davison joined Kayla Shepherd at the crease, and while they managed to get some runs on the board, Shepherd was soon back in the sheds after being bowled for 16, once again leaving the Lakers precariously positioned at 3-38.
Kelsey Abbott made a brief cameo, departing for eight runs from eight deliveries, leaving Shelley Houston to stride out and join Davison in the middle.
It would be a turning point in the contest for Nagambie, as the pair began to get on top of the Mooroopna attack, adding 92 runs together before Davison, who had raised the bat for her half-century moments before, was trapped LBW for a brilliant 55 off 43 balls with one ball remaining in the innings.
Houston finished unbeaten on 32, as Nagambie posted a competitive total of 5-143 following a slow start.
There was certainly nothing slow about the Lakers’ start with the ball, as Davison (1-41) picked up where she left off with the bat to remove Mooroopna opener Maggie Egglestone for two, as the Cats sank to 1-8 early on.
The early breakthrough proved deceiving, however, as Mooroopna added 65 runs before Nagambie found another wicket, with Sarah Villinger (1-25) having Alyse O’Connell out caught to reduce the Cats to 2-72, while Shepherd (1-15) followed up soon after to remove Ebony Sleeth, leaving Mooroopna at 3-73 in the 13th over.
Cats pair Mia Earl and Amani Issell proved damaging with the bat, but Nagambie’s bowlers proved equally as stifling, meaning Mooroopna still needed 70 runs from seven overs to claim victory.
They managed 50 from the first six of those overs, leaving 20 required off the final over to win, and despite a six off the last ball, Nagambie did enough to hold on to victory in the grand final rematch, restricting Mooroopna to 3-139 to win by four runs.
In the other contest, Shepparton Youth Club United duo Lia Beecroft and Mel Saunders smacked unbeaten scores of 50 and 52, respectively, as they powered their side to a huge 42-run win over Kyabram.
Nagambie will look to make it two from two this weekend when it hosts Shepparton Youth Club United at Nagambie Recreation Reserve on Sunday.
