At 8-65, ladder-leaders Lancefield were on track to lose against Bacchus Marsh in Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s B-grade competition.
Resuming play at 5-27 and chasing 130, the Tigers’ slight hopes of victory seemed done for – they still needed 66 runs with two wickets in hand.
But the Tigers’ tailenders had other ideas … a ninth wicket partnership between Alex Laidlaw and Jordan Ladzik instead put the Tigers in a position to win.
When Ladzik went out four runs short, it was up to Luke Dowling to hit the winning runs. The Tigers were eventually bowled out for 137. The Bulls went on to make 4-100 in their second innings.
The result was nerve-wracking for the Tigers, more so for captain-coach Luke Barker. Not at the game due to work, he had to rely on updates from acting skipper Matthew Bowden.
“I was on the phone the last half-hour to Matt,” he said.
“It was a huge win for us and, with our ladder position, it helps us out big time.
“We had five players out. At 8-65, I thought we were in trouble, with both Nathan (Malone) and Chris (Collins) out, who I thought may have got us over the line.
“There was so much excitement after the game. It was like we won a final.”
Barker said while thinking the game was lost, he knew Laidlaw and Ladzik were both more than capable of holding their own with the bat.
“It was only Alex’s second game for the year,” he said. “In his first game, he had 49. He’s been a good batsmen over the time, but hasn’t been able to play and train due to work.
“Jordan is the most improved batsmen in the club over the last three years. In five games in the ones this season, he’s hit three 30s.”
Barker said the result was even more special for Dowling, as the game was his first top-side game playing with son Connor.
The Tigers didn’t have long to recover, with a one-day match on Sunday against St Anthonys.
It was an easy win though, with the Tigers making 3-107 in reply to St Anthonys’ 106.
Barker said the season so far had exceeded expectations, and he expects to be back at full strength for the final two games of the season.
“We were confident of making finals, as we hadn’t lost any, and picked up a player,” he said.
“We’re a lot more consistent even than when we won the C-grade premiership.
“We’re not relying on Matt (Bowden) to take the wickets, and myself and Chris (Collins) with the bat.
“We’ve got a bit of depth, and it’s a good position to be in.
“We’re hoping for a home semi-final … anything can happen from there.”
In other B-grade two-day results, Wallan was too strong for East Sunbury, Macedon won a thriller against Sunbury United and St Anthonys defeated Ashfield.
