Wy Yung’s unbeaten run through November and December has now extended to January, with the Tigers’ outstanding mid-season form now seeing them at the top of the Bairnsdale Cricket Association “A” grade ladder.
With Lindenow South Glenaladale and Lakes Entrance not playing due to a damp pitch, and having to settle for two points, Wy Yung powered their way to the top of the table with a hard-fought round 13 win over St Mary’s Nagle at Nagle College.
The home side won the toss and elected to bat, the Tigers full of praise for their hosts’ efforts to get a wicket up to play, given the weather in the lead up to the game.
Nagle were quickly in trouble at 2/14, with Darcy Murray (3/24) claiming both openers cheaply.
Flynn Thompson (16 from 66) and skipper Ricky Tatnell (25 from 29) added 33 in eight overs, with the latter particular severe on anything short, hitting three maximums in his brief stay, falling to the spin of Charlie Thompson (5/19).
Tatnell’s dismissal triggered a collapse, Nagle losing 6/21, slumping to 8/68, with Charlie Thompson ploughing through the middle order.
A spirited late order partnership between Randall Stewart (14 from 49) and Reece Carstairs (13 from 16) helped the score to 99.
Stewart was the last man dismissed, unfortunately run out in the 39th over.
Ben Channing had a day out behind the stumps, picking up three catches and two stumpings, four of the dismissals coming from the bowling of import Charlie Thompson.
It certainly wasn’t plain sailing for the talented Tiger batting line-up, who were in all sorts of trouble at 6/48, with the big guns Cameron McPhan, Todd Murray, Ben Saxon, Harry Forbes, Ray Stevens and skipper Stevie Bertino all back in the shed.
Tatnell was superb, back to his best in recent weeks, picking up 4/23 from his nine over spell.
But as is the Wy Yung way over the past 18 months, they just find a way to get it done most of the time.
This time it was Daniel Gledhill (27 from 60) and Channing (30 from 59) combining for an unbeaten 55 run partnership in 17 overs, to steer the Tigers home.
Stewart (2/14) was the only other multiple wicket-taker for Nagle.
All sides will enjoy a weekend off this week for the Australia Day long weekend, Wy Yung will then enjoy a bye followed by two-day matches against St Mary’s Nagle (away) and Paynesville (home).
Given their recent form, they look assured of a top two finish at the end of the regular season.
St Mary’s Nagle will host Lakes Entrance on January 31 and February 7, in a crucial match for the Seagulls.
