NORTH Sportsman’s has set up a big task for West Gambier this weekend, as the Tigers recorded an impressive total of 7/325 at Malseed Park in day one of their Round 4 Barber Shield cricket clash.
The Tigers were the only team to last the full 80 overs on Saturday, with disappointing results coming from the other A Grade teams who took to the crease first up.
The result came on the back of two centuries, one to opener Jake Schutz and the other to Mitch Lewis.
Michael Johnston and Schutz opened with the bat and were off to a flying start.
The partnership lasted 33 overs and returned 93 runs, before Johnston was caught by Will Glover off Ben Hentschke for 42.
It was then the real carnage began, as Lewis joined Schutz at the crease.
Another 33 overs passed without a wicket falling and the total had reached a massive 242 runs in a huge century partnership.
It was then Schutz was clean bowled by Sam Willis, but not without making his century, with an impressive 115 runs on the board from the in-form Tiger.
Matt McInerney then took to the crease and made 24 runs before Hentschke caught him off Richard Crute, while Lewis kept going strong.
He was joined by Nick McInerney, who posted 22 runs before he was caught by youngster Josh Cornolo off Willis.
At that stage the total was at 4/319, with just two overs remaining in the match.
Kayne Badman took to the crease opposite Lewis, but the partnership was short-lived, with three runs added before Lewis was finally dismissed by Willis, with a solid 111 runs.
Badman followed soon after as he was run out for one, while Tom Edwards was bowled by Bray Stephenson for two.
Declan Kenny was left standing with one-not-out at the end of the innings, with the Tigers’ total of 325 a daunting prospect for the Roos when they take to the crease this Saturday.
With the ball, Willis was the best on the day with three scalps, while Crute, Stephenson and Hentschke bagged one each.
West will need to step up a gear if it is to stand a chance in claiming the points for the round and based on current form with the bat, the Tigers should be in the box seat for the victory.
