Top sides further affirm credentials as Goulburn Murray women’s cricket marches towards festive break

With these same two teams due to collide again at Kyabram this coming weekend, it never hurts to get some helpful intel on how to play one another, either.

There was an element of early Hope for the underdog Redbacks as star all-rounder Irvine, playing only her third game of the season, removed fearsome opener Amber Langham for a single-digit return.

It was a tidy spell from Irvine with all things considered, posting a solid return of 2-9 from her three overs with two maidens, but the damage was done around her as Nagambie’s top-notch offence took firm control of proceedings.

Kayla Shepherd was again able to retire unbeaten, going at a strike rate of more than 100 with 31 from her allotted balls, capped with four boundaries as she moved her season average to a staggering 94.

A long run alongside Madison Albers eventually resulted in the pair walking off on its own terms, while Breanna Davison took to the middle like a duck to water with a powerful 34 (five fours) later on.

With many of the usual suspects firing on all cylinders, the Lakers had set Kyabram a mountain to climb with their final tally of 2-128.

It was never set to be easy going after the changeover, but Irvine remained as valiant as always in finding the boundary three times to underscore her eventual unbeaten 18.

Although the Redbacks were able to bat out their full measure, they found themselves severely constrained as five different wicket-takers — including Shepherd, who also contributed to a run out on a banner day — took the contest away to secure a big 81-run win.

Skipper Kait Carracher hailed another comfortable result, with a particular nod to her star opener.

“We’re feeling pretty confident. We’ve really found some form this season and picked up a couple of players to add a lot of depth, especially to our bowling,” Carracher said.

“A lot of sharp work in the field has seen that improve leaps and bounds and our batting line-up is deep, so we’re feeling good going into every innings.

“Kayla’s a fantastic player; she’s really strong in every aspect of the game.

“To have her with us this season, we’ve hit a bit of a gold mine and she’s got the skills and attitude to pass on and build other players up around her.”

There’s nothing in the Lakers’ minds to prevent them competing with ladder-leading Mooroopna or any of the other rusted-on favourites, either.

Why not, when you’re seeing marked improvement in your run prevention combined with an often-explosive batting brigade?

“You want to take wickets, but we put that emphasis on the fielding,” Carracher said.

“If those aren’t coming, we can stop the runs from happening and our fielding is really what helps us keep those runs down.

“It should be another good hit-out (this week). Thirty-five overs is something we’re really excited to see what we do with.

“It doesn’t matter who you’re playing or where they are on the ladder, we always go out to do our best.

“There’s confidence within the crew, but we play each game on its merit.”

Mooroopna remains the standard-setting outfit for now, though, extending its unbeaten run at Nathalia’s expense on Sunday.

Playing with 20-ball retirements rather than 30, the Cats rode some solid middle-order batting — and a slew of wides — to post 127 before Amani Issell took four wickets home with her side’s 65-run win.

In the north-west, import Sophie Ullah had a big day crushing 47 for Shepparton Youth Club United, while captain Lia Beecroft earned herself a five-for at the expense of Bamawm-Lockington United, which played its first game since November 10 after a rather unlucky stretch.

Moama was able to re-enter the positive with a 4-3 record after Delaney Laffy led the line with 39 to help overcome Katamatite by 14 runs, but Rochester and Echuca found themselves unable to get going due to pitch conditions.

It was a double dose of weekend disappointment for those sides after Friday night’s scheduled intra-league hit-out with Cricket Shepparton could not proceed at Mooroopna with storms overhead.