Haisman Shield | ‘Showed his class’: Breslin half-century helps hand Katandra first loss

Under bright skies at Mooroopna, the skilful right-hand bat dug his side out of early trouble at 4-40 and was pivotal in the host reaching 186 after 45 overs.

Textbook drives down the ground, followed by elegant cut shots behind square stood out in what would become his 23rd half-century in Haisman Shield.

Katandra, which entered the round six encounter as one of the in-form sides in the competition, was unable to overcome its early woes despite a brave 60-run knock from Hadleigh Sirett and left it with its first loss of the campaign.

Mooroopna playing coach Luke Zanchetta was full of praise for his squad’s latest addition in the wash-up of the Cats’ fourth win.

“Nick stood up and showed everyone his class yesterday,” Zanchetta said.

“A few of us in the lower order tried to stick around and play that second fiddle. We just knew we had to hang around and try get him on strike ... he was seeing them really well.

“He’s a really top cricketer; he’s got plenty of skill with bat and ball and he’s a pretty smart operator. He’s been a terrific addition for us and he’s added another element to our side.

“But it’s what he’s provided off the field that is most valuable.He’s just fit in perfectly at the club and he’s the type of player you want around.”

Mooroopna found itself in early trouble after it won the toss and elected to bat first.

Saturday was a celebration of club favourite Brodie McDonald and his contribution to the Cats as he made his 300th appearance for Mooroopna.

Unfortunately for McDonald, a four-ball duck added a dampener to his milestone match that luckily ended in a win for his teammates.

“To play 300 games is a massive achievement, as I said to the boys before the match that’s about 20 years of non-stop cricket,” Zanchetta said.

“It was a massive win for us, especially to get it done for Brodie.”

Zanchetta credited the efforts of talented pair Henry Barrow (2-19) and Simon D’Elia (3-38) for helping the hosts restrict the dangerous Eagles to 151 from 40 overs.

The win shifts Mooroopna into fourth spot on the ladder — a crucial six points that Zanchetta knows will go a long way come March.

“It’s been nice to bank some points before the break. We saw last year with Katandra how much dropping a few early games can cost you at the end,” he said.

“We’ve got a couple of hard ones straight after Chrissy. We play Central Park and then Numurkah which are two really crucial matches.”