NORTH Sportsman’s showed why it currently sits top of the Barber Shield cricket ladder on Saturday, with a demolition of Mil Lel at Frew Park.
The Round 9 clash saw Mil Lel win the toss and choose to bat, lasting 52 overs for just 93 runs.
If it was not for a solid 45 from Daniel Justin, the result could have been far worse for Mil Lel, with Justin Lamont and Jack Miller the only other batsmen to reach double figures.
Dot balls were the order of the day, with the Mil Lel batsmen struggling to find the middle of the bat.
With just four runs on the board in the sixth over, North captain Tim Young struck, with Josh Jantosh caught behind for just one run.
With no further score added to the total, Young clean bowled Cary Megaw and the writing was on the wall.
Jonathan Allcock came and settled at the crease, but could only offer another six runs before he too fell victim to Young and Mil Lel was reeling at 3/13.
Justin then began to steady the ship with Lamont, with the pair putting on 26 runs before Declan Kenny rattled the woodwork and sent Lamont back to the shed for 14.
Apart from Miller’s innings of 10, Mil Lel simply had no answer for the Tigers’ bowling attack and despite their best efforts at playing a defensive game, the wickets tumbled.
Young was impressive, finishing with figures of 3/15, while Josh Fidler and Michael Johnston both managed two wickets each.
With just 93 runs on the board, it would be an uphill battle against a tough North batting line up.
However, the Tigers struggled with the bat before stumps, slumping to 4/65, much of that off a classy 44 not out from Jake Schutz.
Play resumes on Saturday with North in the box seat to claim the points.
