By Lachlan Onions
NORTH SPORTSMAN’S 9/305 d MIL LEL 10/158
NORTH Sportsman’s claimed its first victory of the Barber Shield season with a 147-run first innings victory over Mil Lel at Frew Park.
The Tigers resumed Day 2 at 1/15 after a solid performance with the ball left the game in the balance and the visitors needed another 144 runs to win.
Jack Miller claimed an early breakthrough when he dismissed Michael Johnston for nine runs to keep the hosts in the hunt.
However, Mathew Robinson and Elliott Fisher formed a vital 60-run partnership for North to take control of the game.
Jarrod Sanders eventually found the breakthrough thanks to some solid work with the gloves from Craig Lock but at 3/94, Mil Lel was always up against it.
The dismissal of Fisher brought Nick McInerney to the crease – who took the game by storm.
McInerney took his time early in his inning but punished the Mil Lel bowlers once he found his rhythm.
He combined with Robinson for a match-winning 101-run stand before Robinson was eventually adjudged LBW after a patient performance with the bat.
Robinson protected his wicket at all costs and fought his way to 51 off 190 balls before William Rowland found the breakthrough.
The dismissal failed to deter McInerney who kept adding runs to his total and eventually brought up his century in the 82nd over of the inning.
However, his celebrations were short-lived as he was caught just two balls later to bring his colossal stint to an end after adding 105 runs to his team’s cause.
The ton included an impressive 12 4’s and two maximums and came off just 117 deliveries.
Isaac Mulraney, Harry Fisher and Thomas Madigan all made handy contributions as the Tigers ended the day at 9/305 off 90 overs.
In a tiring day in the field for Mil Lel, every player aside from Lock behind the stumps bowled at least two overs.
Rowland was the best of the bunch with figures of 3/45 off 11 overs, while Ty Dinnison and Jarrod Sanders both picked up a pair of wickets.
