By Trevor Jackson
A CENTURY to youngster Connor Prior helped ensure a solid victory for West Gambier at Marist Park.
West required 179 runs for victory but a stuttered start gave North some hope.
Openers Justin DeJong and Jack Geddes were out cheaply, with less than 24 runs on the board.
With the total at 65 Alex Hill was sent back to the picturesque sidelines for a steady 24, with Jake Blackwell joining forces with Prior to advance the total.
A 35-runs stand followed before Blackwell was run out for 15 and when Sam Willis departed for just one run with the total at 113, anything looked possible for the Tigers.
However, Bray Stephenson and Prior combined for 36, before the big-hitting Richard Crute strode to the crease.
Crute and Prior fell short of a century partnership, out for an unlucky 87 but with the victory well in hand.
Prior was the last man out with 104 runs from a patient 195 deliveries, which included 16 boundaries.
Elliott Fisher was best with the ball with figures of 3/20 off nine overs.
