Lancefield knows a win this weekend will go a long way to assuring the side stays in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup.
Sitting eighth, the Tigers are just under three points clear of bottom side Diggers Rest Bulla, so every win is vital in the run home to avoid relegation.
No match is more vital than the current game against Rupertswood, which sits 1.11 points behind the Tigers.
Tigers coach Luke Barker said they know what they are up against.
“At the start of the season I would have taken three or four wins and staying away from relegation,” he said. “That would be a success.
“A win against Rupertswood would go a long way to stitching up our spot. It would put us a game and half clear of Rupertswood.
“If we lose they are ahead of us.”
The match is evenly poised after day one, which was a tough slog for both sides.
The Tigers made 9-133 with Brandon Nicholls top-scoring with 31.
Barker, who wasn’t at the game, said the players said it was tough going.
“Our ground is very slow, so that total is worth about 170-180,” he said.
“At the start of the day we were hoping for another 40 runs. They had to grind the runs out. Rupertswood bowled really well and gave us nothing loose.”
With the runs on the board, the Tigers will back themselves in to get the job done. Rupo’s weakness this season has been inconsistent batting.
Barker said they won’t take anything for granted.
“The first hour will be the key if we can get two or three wickets and get on a roll, I think we’ll be right.
“Generally with Lancefield if we can get two or three wickets early it will set the tone, if not we tend to struggle.”
In other matches, Bacchus Marsh has already claimed first innings points against an undermanned Woodend. The Bulls bowled Woodend out for just 62. Nicholas Smith was the only batsman to make double figures, finishing with 35.
In just his second match for Gisborne, Danza Hyatt smashed 176 to guide his side to 9-331 against Diggers Rest Bulla.
Riddell is 1-2 in reply to Romsey’s 8-195 and Sunbury is 1-41 chasing Sunbury United’s 193.
Meanwhile, the Sunbury and Macedon Ranges veterans’ cricket travelled to Gippsland to play Iona on Sunday and came away with the points. Sunbury made 158, with Dave Cordy top-scoring with 38 not out. Sunbury’s bowlers had a good game bowling Iona out for 83. Bill Morrison was named man of the match.
Tara Murray
