Picture: THOMAS MILES
IT was a day to forget for Mil Lel when it hosted North Sportsman’s at Frew Park for round nine of the Barber Shield cricket season.
The two-day clash did not have the ideal start for the home team, as the Tigers won the toss and sent Mil Lel in to bat first.
Just 81 runs were added before North bowled its opponent out in the 41st over, with a 28-run haul from Carey Megaw the best on the day.
Fellow youngster Tom Nieuwerkerk was the only other double-figure scorer for Mil Lel, posting just 12 runs.
Openers Justin Lamont (8) and Josh Jantosh (4) started the theme for the day, before Kaidyn Weber (1) and Ben Thiel (0) continued the trend.
Despite Megaw and Nieuwerkerk’s efforts in the bottom order, Mil Lel crumbled under the Tigers pressure, with Nick McInerney having a field day with the ball.
He claimed four wickets for 23 runs in Mil Lel’s first innings and after North declared on 4/109, managed another four scalps when the hosts returned to the crease.
Mil Lel sits with an overnight score of 5/17 in its second innings, with the Tigers hunting an outright victory.
In North’s first innings, Matt McInerney and Jake Schutz opened, scoring 30 and seven runs respectively.
Nick McInerney came in after brother Matt’s dismissal and scored 23 runs before he was caught, while a 36 not out from Mitchell Lewis saw the team to its 109-run total after 20 overs.
Mil Lel was served by Jack Miller and Ben Thiel with ball in hand, as the pair claimed two wickets each.
Looking towards day two this weekend, if North can take the remaining five Mil Lel wickets in 11 runs the Tigers will secure the outright victory without the need to pad up again.
And with the form displayed on Saturday it is not out of the question, but it is likely North will require a second stint at the crease to seal the deal over its hosts in round nine of Barber Shield cricket.
