mmg.com.au

The dawn of a new era could be upon Cricket Shepparton following yesterday’s Haisman Shield final at Deakin Reserve.

After ending the Tigers’ run of seven straight titles last season, Karramomus chased down the minor premiers’ day one total of 248 with five wickets and six overs to spare to secure back-to-back titles.

Unheralded opening batsman Jason Ibbotson was the hero, with an unbeaten 135, while ever-present skipper Chris Keady took 4-41 and added 48 with the bat.

It was Keady’s sixth premiership to go with his six Lightfoot medals and he said while they were all special in their own way, this one was “right up there”.

“It was an outstanding run chase, it’s not always easy in big games like this, especially against a quality team like that,” Keady said.

“We just stuck to our plans and had some big partnerships and got through some really tough patches of bowling out there, (Tim Kelly) bowled a couple of really good spells and tested us out.

“Early wickets were really important, we took our catches and fielded really well.’’

After being brought unstuck as the chasing side last year, Central Park-St Brendan’s looked in much better shape winning the toss and setting the pace on Saturday.

Keady tore through the top-order with the first three wickets and when Ramadan Yze was run out, the Tigers were 4-42.

However, they showed great character and fought back through renowned big game player Rohan Larkin (52) and rising star Rhiley Lau (39).

The Tigers’ batting depth was there for all to see with Kelly (30), Sam Ahmet (46) and Layton McCann (26) producing excellent contributions as far down as number nine.

The total was not overwhelming, but given the Bloods are widely considered a stronger bowling side, it appeared a competitive score.

After surviving five overs before stumps on Saturday without loss, the Bloods were in trouble soon after the resumption of play, with Paul Trevaskis, Taylor Dunning and Pramuka Liyanage all back in the shed with the score at 58.

Brocq Robertson steadied the ship with a timely 29, before Keady joined Ibbotson at the crease.

The Tigers managed to tie Karramomus down for long spells, but time was never a factor.

Wickets were what they needed, but uncharacteristically poor fielding did not help their cause.

Ibbotson was given at least three lives, before bringing up his century via a misfield.

Keady was dropped in the deep, but was out caught behind the next ball off Layton McCann to give Central Park-St Brendan’s a sniff.

Daniel Forge, though, helped guide the Bloods within range and Ibbotson hit the winning runs, sparking wild celebrations.

Keady admitted his side had enjoyed ‘‘a little bit of luck here and there’’, but made the most of their chances.

‘‘We outfielded them, I don’t think we put down a chance and seeing their fielding they would have been disappointed with that,’’ he said.

“Me and Ibbo just kept talking together the whole time and it’s probably one of the best partnerships I’ve been involved in.

“We made a couple of blues here and there, but we stuck it out, it’s an amazing feeling.’’

For Brendan Scott “everything was opposite” on the worst day of the season for that to happen.

“We nicked out (on Saturday), they played and missed (yesterday), they took superb catches, we dropped sodas, they hit fours (and) we couldn’t hit it to the boundary,” Scott said.

“We just dropped catches at the wrong times, a bloke that goes on and makes 135 not out was dropped three times in two overs before he’s 50.”

Scott said his side was beaten by a better team on the day and the club would reflect on the result ‘‘when the time is right’’.

“There are positives when we have time to sit down and talk it through,’’ he said.

‘‘We have got some good young kids and they did a fantastic job to get us to the score we did, but now’s not the time to be thinking about next season.’’

In the rooms after the game, an emotional Karramomus president Trevaskis paid tribute to the club’s support staff and confirmed Keady, whose son Lachlan played in Karramomus’ under-12 premiership earlier this season, would be stepping down as captain, but continuing as a player.