Sport
Gallery | Tiger time as Central Park-St Brendan’s makes a successful start to its T20 premiership defence
It may seem early, but finals are already here in Cricket Shepparton’s most explosive format.
The association’s higher and lower grade T20 has ventured into crunch time, with the first full round’s exits spelling knockout action again during Thursday night cricket.
Central Park-St Brendan’s took its first step towards defending its 2023-24 T20 crown, knocking over a supercharged Tatura side at Deakin Reserve.
Tatura enlisted the services of former Bulldog and current Carlton gun Michael Archer, who brought along a fellow True Blue in Dom Sullivan for the short-form stoush.
However, it was a Tiger who flashed his teeth the hardest during the first innings.
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Central Park-St Brendans' Nate Earl smokes one through the covers. Photo by Liam NashImage 2 of 8
Tatura's Darcy Brewer gives it a rip. Photo by Liam NashImage 3 of 8
Central Park-St Brendans' Rhiley Lau sets his field before running into bowl. Photo by Liam NashImage 4 of 8
Tatura's Blake Armstrong goes over the top with force. Photo by Liam NashImage 5 of 8
Tatura's Michael Archer bends his back while sending one down. Photo by Liam NashImage 6 of 8
Central Park-St Brendans' Dwain Vidler took two wickets against Tatura. Photo by Liam NashImage 7 of 8
Tatura's Dominic Sullivan belts one through backward point. Photo by Liam NashImage 8 of 8
Tatura's Jayden Armstrong fires one to the keeper from the boundary. Photo by Liam NashCentral Park-St Brendan’s skipper Tyler Larkin smacked a quick-fire 58 off 42 balls — including a pair of monster maximums — to see the host through to 8-133 from its allotted overs.
It would’ve been more, too, if not for Sullivan’s searing spell of 4-13.
On the chase, early stumbles had Tatura spiralling at 3-9 and Blake Armstrong, paired with Sullivan, began to repair the Bulldogs’ riposte.
Neither was able to go big and, though, Tatura’s tail wagged as 46 runs arrived from batters seven, eight and nine on the order, Central Park-St Brendan’s was able to leave the visitor stranded 20 runs shy of victory.
Elsewhere, Paul Parsons conjured a season best 86 not out for Kyabram in its hit-out against Karramomus — and it couldn’t have arrived at a better time.
Parsons carried his bat — and the Redbacks — through to a team total of 132 thanks to a boundary hailstorm (nine fours, two sixes), while no other Kyabram player broke into double digits.
Karramomus then finished four runs short of victory despite George Politis’ dashing half-century at the top of the order.
Around the grounds, Caleb Smith’s 51 not out aided Old Students to a six-wicket triumph over Shepparton Youth Club United, while Liam Evans scalped five wickets for Waaia as it rolled Numurkah for 76.
In the round’s other game, Katandra got past Northerners unscathed, notching a 40-run victory at Tallygaroopna.
Lower grade action had Karramomus outmuscle Mooroopna for a seven-wicket result, while Central Park-St Brendan’s ended Old Students’ hopes of consecutive T20 titles.
Tatura progressed after beating Shepparton Youth Club United by 36 runs and Katandra, led by Shaun Candy’s knock of 41 and three wickets, successfully defended 9-124 against Northerners.