By Tara Murray
Things are coming together nicely for Lancefield in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Jensen Shield.
Having put together some good results leading into the Christmas break, the Tigers found themselves in a top two position.
They cemented that on Saturday, with a hard fought win against Wallan in the first game back.
Tigers coach Alan Sinclair said things were tracking along nicely for the side.
“We got going and got a few wins in a row and had a good end to last year,” he said. “We’ve now started the year off well.
“We’ve got a bit more consistency after the first few weeks with some chopping and changing.
“Everyone is now staying consistent and hopefully we’ll have our best XI for the rest of the season and we can get a home final.”
Sinclair said Saturday’s match with Wallan got a bit closer than they would have liked.
The Tigers made 8-184 from their overs with Luke Malone top scoring with 69.
Wallan was then two for 50 at the drinks break with the Tigers in control. The game changed from there.
“They batted really well after drinks,” Sinclair said. “They had one bloke make 40 off 20 balls and scored really quickly.
“Cam Osmond was able to get him out and in the second or third last over and there was a bit of relief.
“We were able to hold on and have a good win,.We always felt like we were a little bit in front.
Wallan finished 8-172.
Trent McNamara took three wickets for the Tigers.
Sinclair said the biggest thing for them this season had been the spread of contributors they had been able to have.
“Every week someone different makes a 50,” he said. “We talk about that we have four or five guys making the runs and if someone is scoring, someone else does.
“It’s the same with the wickets. Andrew Richardt has 17 for the year, but the last game before Christmas it was Sam Taylor taking five.
It’s good to share everything around.”
While the Tigers are sitting in second spot, they aren’t getting ahead of themselves.
A home final and a top two finish is the goal, but Sinclair said they have a couple of good tests ahead of them before the end of the season.
“We’ve still got to come up against Riddell and Harkness,” he said. “We win both of those games, we lock in a home final.
“We play Harkness in the final round and Riddell two rounds before finals. It will be a good test.
The Tigers this Saturday travel to Gisborne to face Gisborne.
In other results, Riddell bounced back against Melton South.
After losing in the last game before the break, the Bombers made 5-291 from their overs before restricting the Royals to 1014.
Harness had a big win against Gisborne, while Rupertswood beat Sunbury United.
