Kyabram sits pretty in driving seat for a cruisy win over Waaia in Haisman Shield

Looking to rebuild its dangerous reputation from last season, Kyabram headed to Waaia with a point to prove following the Bombers’ six-wicket demo job of the Redbacks in February.

This time around Jackson McLay’s boys had the rub of the green.

Despite losing the toss, McLay struck pay dirt early doors as he trapped Waaia opener Brayden Carey for a three-ball duck in the first over.

Damien Atkins trotted off not long after for six via Charlie McLay’s bowling and he soon found himself on a hat-trick as Brenton Low’s bails were cartwheeling on his first ball.

Waaia’s hot water situation went thermonuclear the following over when classy all-rounder Mitch Cleeland exited for one, leaving the heavy lifting to his brother Jordan.

He took on the brunt of the Bombers’ run scoring duties and flashed through to 49, but once he found Alec Young’s hands in the field, Waaia soon barrelled out for 126 in less than 50 overs.

A stringent bowling and fielding display from Kyabram, one that yielded two run outs and a sole extra, set the tone for the batters to chase a first innings victory on day one.

Boy, did they come close.

After oiling his blade with gunpowder during Thursday night’s T20 and making 86 not out, Paul Parsons kicked off alongside Billy McLay, but both were dismissed after making starts.

Waaia quick Jesse Trower trapped both LBW and he had a third when Young walked via the same modus operandi.

However, cue the most predictable thing in the Haisman Shield: Kyle Mueller making runs — and quick.

The mercurial left-hander bashed a silky 46 to stand unbeaten alongside Ethan Hart (two not out) at stumps with Kyabram perched at 4-114, leaving coach McLay rapt with the Redbacks’ position heading into day two.

“We probably couldn’t have asked for a better day really,” he said.

“To bowl one of the top sides out for under 130 and be within 13 runs of victory overnight is a fantastic result.

“They’ve been putting some pretty good scores on the board, so we knew we’d have to be disciplined and hang in there for a long period of time.

“We were able to build some pressure, they came pretty hard at us which created a few chances and it sort of was just our day.”

McLay praised the Waaia wicket in the midst of Friday night’s rain and, though, the Bombers possess one of the comp’s best quicks in Trower, Kyabram’s effort to make the bulk of the required runs in 29 overs was no mean feat.

“They’ve got a pretty good bowling line-up, led by Jesse, so we were keen to be proactive with the bat and not let him dictate terms,” he said.

“We thought if we batted well we’ll be around the mark which is how it fell.

“All our batters were looking quite positive and that’s the way we like to play our cricket.

“We spoke about it after the game; if we’re all chipping in and pulling on the rope, we’re going to be quite a dangerous side.

“Once you get to the pointy end of the season, you can’t rely on one or two people. You need everyone standing up when needed and it felt like that yesterday.”