A defiant Wy Yung refused to be dismissed when put to the sword by Lindenow South Glenaladale in round 14 of the Bairnsdale Cricket Association at the Glenaladale Recreation Reserve.
Unbeaten since round four and currently sitting in third place, assured of finals action, the Tigers looked in trouble at 7/139 but with plenty of grit and determination mixed with a little luck, they finished the day on 8/216.
In their unbeaten run, it’s worth noting they have only been dismissed once inside their allocated overs, which shows how much worth the experienced batting line up puts on their wickets.
It’s not a huge score when you are playing a side which contains the very much in-form Haydn Erfurth and last round centurion Luke Schumann, but the Tigers were pleased with the outcome, which looks about par for the conditions.
Mel Irish (4/40) picked up David Wolfe and Cameron McPhan early before Daniel Gledhill (40) and Todd Murray (78) added 99 for the third wicket, before the Bulls fought back like only they can.
When Logan Dunkley caught Todd Murray, giving Irish his fourth for the day, the end looked close with all the momentum going the way of the home side.
But cricket can be a great leveller and when Darcy Murray survived a confident caught behind appeal before he had scored, which left the Bulls fuming, the momentum gradually swung.
Keeper Ben Channing made a solid 18, before Darcy Murray (31) and spinner Charlie Thompson (23) saw the Tigers right through to the end, frustrating the already angry Bulls.
Nathan King again impressed with ball for the Bulls, picking up 3/24, but he sent concerns through the camp on Sunday when he appeared to suffer a calf injury, which may limit his output with bat and ball in the coming weeks.
Nathan Pollard was given plenty of work with the ball, taking 1/68 from 22 overs, and was the preferred option with youngster Logan Dunkley only given seven overs.
A win by the Tigers would see them do battle with Lakes Entrance in a semi final, while a loss could see them play the Bulls again, though there is plenty to play out before that is decided.
With West Bairnsdale defeating Lakes Entrance on first innings, the Bulls should finish on top where a semi final awaits against West Bairnsdale, St Mary’s Nagle or Wy Yung, with Meerlieu still a mathematical chance to progress.
