Piercing the gap: Central Park-St Brendan’s skipper Brendan Scott.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
A dominant all-round performance by Rhiley Lau was enough to see Central Park-St Brendan’s to a comfortable five-wicket victory over Karramomus at Deakin Reserve on Saturday.
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Beginning with the ball, Lau shifted the momentum of the match with three crucial middle-order wickets to help restrict the Bloods to 151.
He then played the role of finisher in the second innings, smashing an unbeaten 49 off 45 deliveries to see the Tigers to the victory target in 36.1 overs.
Watching from the sidelines due to a hamstring injury, coach Tyler Larkin said it was pleasing to see Lau recapture his best form as the finals series approaches.
“I thought we bowled okay early, but they batted really well, so I think Rhiley’s spell through the middle overs changed the game for us,” Larkin said.
“Rhiley is just someone who is getting better and better each week with the ball, he hadn’t bowled seam up for a few years due to injury, so to see him back near his best with the ball was great.
“And it was the same with the bat, I was really happy to see him score runs because I know how hard he has been working in the nets.
“Putting him down the order probably freed him up a bit, he is a super dangerous all-rounder in Shepparton cricket, so if he’s playing well we will be in good shape.”
Taking it on: Tigers batter Jarrod Wakeling.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Whipping it in: Karramomus' Zane Newbound.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Watching it closely: Central Park-St Brendans' Brendan Scott.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Having a chat: Tigers openers Brendan Scott and Jarrod Wakeling talk it over.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Switched on: Bloods skipper Mitch McGrath.
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Rechelle Zammit
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In the hands: Karramomus' Sam Walton.
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Rechelle Zammit
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Steaming in: Bloods quick Lachlan Keady.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Wait on: Central Park-St Brendan's Brendan Scott.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Lau was not the only Tiger to shine as they recorded their eighth win of the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield season.
The evergreen Ramadan Yze was damaging in cleaning up the Bloods’ tail, complementing Lau beautifully to finish with figures of 2-24.
While with the bat, Andrew Cowen was a rock at number three as he helped set the platform for the successful Central Park chase with a crucial 37 off 62 balls.
Karramomus on the other hand were boosted by a classy 41 by Jayden Dhosi and 30 from skipper Mitch McGrath, while Craig Dhosi starred with the ball by taking 2-18.
Larkin said it was another “solid performance” by his team as it looks to keep improving ahead of the finals.
“It was just a solid win, we didn’t do anything really special throughout the course of the day, but nonetheless getting the win was the most important thing for us,” he said.
“I don’t think we are playing anywhere near our best at the minute, which is partly very exciting because I keep telling the boys if we get it completely right we will be a really dangerous team.
“It’s important that we keep getting these wins and keep getting better each week, because at this time of year you want to be approaching your best and I feel we aren’t too far away.”
The win has Central Park-St Brendan’s take command of fourth spot on the ladder as it prepares for an encounter with cross-town rival Shepparton United this weekend.
THE GAME
Central Park-St Brendan’s 5-154 (Rhiley Lau 49 not out, Andrew Cowen 37, Craig Dhosi 2-18) d Karramomus 151 (Jayden Dhosi 41, Mitch McGrath 30, Rhiley Lau 3-27, Ramadan Yze 2-24)
STAR PLAYER
Rhiley Lau (Central Park-St Brendan’s): Lau proved why he is one of the most dangerous players in the competition on Saturday with a dominant all-round performance against Karramomus. With the ball he snuffed out Karra’s hopes of a big first innings score, taking three crucial middle-order wickets. While he followed it up with a composed unbeaten 49 to see the Tigers home in the second innings.
