Rooks in top spot after dominant win

After a washout last week, Tallarook was eager to get back to winning ways, taking on the Yea Tigers away in perfect conditions.

Yea won the toss and batted first, getting off to a strong start before Xavier Arandt broke a promising opening partnership.

In his first game for Tallarook, Darby O’Brien kept the bowling tight through the middle overs, giving Tallarook control of the game and finishing with 3-31 off nine consecutive overs.

Kal Winnell cleaned up the tail end with 3-1 off just over two overs, leaving Yea with a total of 121 to defend.

Tallarook came out of the blocks firing in its run chase, with openers Josh Rudge and Mitch Itter picking up where they left off in round one, finding boundaries around the ground and putting the Yea bowling attack on the back foot.

The opening partnership of close to 100 runs was broken when Itter was judged LBW for 41 in a knock that included four fours and a six.

Josh Rudge was joined by Lachlan Watts to finish off a comfortable run chase in the 25th over. Rudge finished 44 not out (five fours and one six) while Watts wasted no time in his short stint at the crease, finishing with 17 not out in a rapid fire cameo.

Tallarook heads into the Melbourne Cup break with two commanding wins and top spot on the SDCA A-grade ladder.

B Grade

Score: Alexandra 8-67 (B Trezise 3-14) def by Tallarook 6-68 (P Schipano 37)

Tallarook picked up its second win from two starts, bowling an undermanned Alexandra out for 67, largely thanks to a spell of 3/14 from Ben Trezise.

While Alexandra was able to pick up regular wickets, Pasquale Schipano anchored the run chase, scoring 37 to ensure Tallarook got the job done in 20 overs.

Tallarook sits second on the ladder with a week off before returning to action.