Central Park-St Brendan’s playing coach Tyler Larkin was left proud of his charges following a gutsy three-wicket win over fellow Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield contender Numurkah on Saturday.
The Tigers registered an impressive all-round team performance on a tricky spin-friendly deck at Numurkah Showgrounds and chalked up their first win of 2023 after a string of losses and a draw.
The round 11 encounter went down to the wire, with the Tigers successfully chasing down the Blues’ total of 152 with 10 balls to spare.
Larkin, battling a hamstring injury he suffered while fielding, remained not out at the crease with wicketkeeper Jack McCarten as they sealed their seventh win of the summer.
“For us, it was the way we went about it that pleased me the most,” Larkin said.
“Our last two games ended up blowouts, so we went in with a focus to take it up to them, but at the same time still do all of the little things right because that’s what wins you matches come finals, so that’s what was the most pleasing thing to see.
“I’m just really proud because we had those tough couple of losses and to come out and put in a performance like that, it’s just a real testament to the boys.
“Hopefully it continues over the coming weeks.”
Numurkah’s Tim Arnel starred for the home side with a brave half-century from 89 deliveries as the host slumped to 5-37 after it won the toss and elected to bat.
Arnel stuck with Jordan O’Dwyer (38 off 75) as the duo combined for a crucial 88-run partnership.
Ramadan Yze (2-26) and Brendan Scott (2-29) were the Tigers’ two strike bowlers, while partner in crime Dwain Vidler picked up two run outs.
With star bat Larkin relegated down the order due to his injury, Tiger youngster Connor Holland led the way with a mature 37 off 69 deliveries, while Yze contributed 27 off 26.
The Tigers will be sweating on the severity of Larkin’s hamstring injury.
With finals around the corner, the playing coach conceded he would take a conservative approach as he recovers.
“It’s not feeling too bad today, but we’ve got finals a few weeks away, so I’ll definitely be looking to take things easy,” he said.
THE GAME
Numurkah 152 (Tim Arnel 50, Jordan O’Dwyer 38, Ramadan Yze 2-26) lt Central Park-St Brendan’s 7-155 (Connor Holland 37, Ramadan Yze 27, Michael Eckard 3-32)
STAR PLAYER
Ramadan Yze (Central Park-St Brendan’s): A tricky week to pick the star player with so many contributors for the Tigers and a standout effort from Numurkah’s Tim Arnel, but we have settled on the master Ramadan Yze for his efforts with bat and ball. A vital 2-26, which involved the crucial wicket of Dylan Grandell, followed by a reliable run-a-ball 27.