Shepparton United down Old Students to remain in Haisman finals fight

In the second half of the two-day match, McCabe stood tall for his side as he hit a defiant 72 off 103 balls, including six boundaries.

Continuing on with his stellar season for United, all-rounder Rehan Bari followed up last weekend’s knock of 81 with a handy 2-47 off 12.4 overs as he put his hand up for man-of-the-match honours.

United now sit eighth on the ladder, three points behind sixth-placed Kyabram, with three rounds left before finals.

Starting the day on 0-5, McCabe’s side were tasked with a tall order as they tried to cut down United’s first innings score of 232.

Students started the run-chase well as they made their way to 0-38 before losing four wickets for 30 runs as the match began to turn back in United’s favour.

And despite McCabe’s best efforts, Students could never turn back the momentum as they were eventually all out for 190.

Other contributors with the bat for Students were opener Sam O’Brien (23 from 86 deliveries) and Dillon Hammer (26 from 29).

For United, it was an impressive display with the ball in hand as the bowlers were unwilling to give an inch to the Students’ batters as they only registered five extras (one wide, one leg-bye, three byes) across the 76.4 overs.

Abraham Lake (2-10 off nine overs) and Jake Callow (3-27 off 18) were arguably the pick of the bowlers.

United’s next Haisman match is at home against 11th-placed Karramomus as they continue their hunt for finals, while Students will play a Kyabram side that will be looking to cement their spot in the top six.