The late-season revival of St Mary’s Nagle claimed a major scalp last Saturday, downing joint premiership favourite Wy Yung in round 15 of the Bairnsdale Cricket Association at Nagle College.
Playing with confidence and belief and boosted by the form of skipper Ricky Tatnell, the Saints bowled the Tigers out for just 164, securing a commanding 66-run victory over a side accustomed to winning.
It was Nagle’s final match for the campaign with an early finish to the season thanks to a final round bye. After a disappointing start, the Saints have finished strongly, winning three of their last four matches and potentially laying the groundwork for a big 2026/27 season.
Wy Yung had not tasted defeat since October 25 last year. Victory would have seen the Tigers leapfrog to the top of the table with current leaders Lindenow South Glenaladale on a bye. Whether this loss is a timely wake-up call remains to be seen as the Tigers took a similar late-season run into last year’s grand final only to fall short at the final hurdle.
The standout performer was Tatnell, whose heroic 26-over spell yielded 5/52, inspiring his side to victory. Wy Yung resumed at 1/6 but quickly lost captain Stephen Bertino and Cameron McPhan, leaving them in trouble at 3/28.
Daniel Gledhill (47) and Ben Saxon (29) steadied the innings, taking the score to 95 before Saxon was trapped leg before wicket by Daniel Hack (3/43). The match then swung in the home side’s favour, with Tatnell claiming Gledhill lbw and bowling promising young all-rounder Harry Forbes in successive deliveries.
Wy Yung’s innings unravelled at 7/155, with Sean Phillipson the last man out for a determined 22, caught by Hywell Nicholls off Tatnell. The skipper’s performance is sure to dominate the second-half voting for the Bairnsdale Cricket Association Player of the Year.
Wy Yung will close out its home-and-away campaign at home against Paynesville, who defeated them earlier in the season. A win, combined with a slip-up from Lindenow South Glenaladale at Bairnsdale City Oval, could still see the Tigers snatch top spot.
