The win over previous ladder leader Tatura in the 45-over clash had another bonus, with Kyabram securing the win without its star batsman, Kyle Mueller, having any impact.
Mueller skied a catch early in his innings and was out for three, in a rare failure this season.
But Tatura quickly discovered Mueller’s younger brother Cade can also handle the willow admirably.
When Kyle Mueller fell, Cade stepped up and slammed an unbeaten 35 with six fours and one six in a fifth-wicket, match-winning stand of 46 with Shafiqullah Maroofkhel who finished with 7 not out. Their partnership delivered a six-wicket win for the home side.
Reliable opener Billy McLay and Alec Young had earlier set up the win.
Batting first drop, Young top-scored with 43 before being run out, and the reliable McLay made a patient 22 off 68 balls and with opening partner Paul Parsons (18) got Kyabram away to a positive start in its run chase.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Tatura’s innings got off to a bad start.
English import Matt West was run out without scoring and at one stage the visitors were reeling at 5/37.
But captain-coach Daniel Coombs and middle order batsman Jayden Armstong came to the rescue and helped their side build a competitive total of 137 off 43.2 overs.
Coombs was the main stumbling block for the Kyabram bowlers, with a defiant 65 off 100 deliveries with seven fours.
Skipper Armstrong faced 59 balls in compiling a steady 26 but they were only two of three batsmen to get into double figures for the visitors.
Maroofkhel, the fourth bowler introduced to the Kyabram attack, proved its most potent performer with figures of 4/21 off nine overs.
It was Maroofkhel’s best figures for the season so far.
Kyabram’s next clash is on January 11 when it tackles another finals aspirant, Numurkah, at Numurkah.
• Kyabram’s B-grade side and Tatura couldn’t be split at the end of their clash at Tatura.
Kyabram made 164, with opener Paul Wickham (25), Jack Young (26), Nick Chambers (32) and Connor Hawes (24) all contributing.
In reply, Tatura’s batters, led by Baxter Plunkett with 45 and Darcy Brewer (32), were able to level the scores in the last over in a pulsating finish.
The most successful Kyabram bowler was Nic Chambers, with 3/20 off nine overs.
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