Haisman Shield | Gallery | Central Park-St Brendan’s exacts revenge on Kyabram in clinical season opener

A victory spearheaded by coach Tyler Larkin ‒ who struck an elegant 63 to anchor the run chase ‒ and a well-balanced bowling performance, Central Park was in command from start to finish in a performance that would have caught the eye of its fellow contenders.

The beginning of what is set to be a five-month journey for Larkin’s men, he said it was satisfying to “right the wrong” from last season and produce a balanced effort first up.

“You don’t really hang on to those defeats too much because you have to move forward, but you always want to right the wrongs of previous seasons,” Larkin said.

“We always knew it was going to be a tough game and when it looked like we were in the box seat they always came back at us, Kyabram are a great side.

“But from top to bottom I just thought it was a complete performance from our boys, and to start the season with such a solid performance I couldn’t be more thrilled.”

Winning the toss and electing to bat, the Redbacks got off to a solid start courtesy of Troy Thomson (20) and Billy McLay (19) at the top of the order.

Skipper Kyle Mueller would continue the foundation for the visitors, getting his fluency going as he looked to inspire a large first innings total at 2-66.

But just when it looked like the Redbacks would pull away, Central Park reeled them in, with veteran spinner Jarrad Wakeling inspiring a middle order collapse

Beginning by playing a hand in the run out of Mueller for 23, Wakeling would then enter the attack and claim three crucial wickets as Kyabram lost 4-40.

Some late hitting from Kaine Herbert would provide some highlights in the final overs, however, with his 25 lifting the Redbacks to a defendable total of 154.

And when Redbacks coach Jackson McLay skittled Central Park skipper Brendan Scott in the first over, it looked like the Tigers could be set to suffer a similar fate to seven months ago.

But Larkin had other ideas, as he strode to the crease at number three and seized control of the contest with a masterful innings.

Initially partnered by Connor Holland, who made a crucial 29, the pair would put on 82 for the second wicket in a stand that frustrated the Kyabram attack.

On course for a dominant victory, the Redbacks would eventually find an opening when Larkin nicked off for 63.

But this is where the class and experience of Ramadan Yze would rise to the fore, as he immediately snuffed out the Kyabram cause with a blistering 22 not out to see Central Park to victory with four wickets in hand.

A match which yielded a plethora for Larkin, he said it was his team’s intensity in the field that impressed him most.

“I thought we fielded really well, our intensity was awesome and even though we dropped a couple of chances we came out and showed great intent which is a focus of ours this season,” he said.

“Our bowlers all chipped in as well and kept it very tight and with the bat we really want to be a side that isn’t just top heavy and can bat very deep and we showed that too.

“The win gives us confidence, but we don’t want to look too far into it, it was important we got off to a good start and now our attention turns to next week.”