As the Tigers were left to chase a record total of 325 on day two of round seven in Cricket Shepparton’s Haisman Shield, following a century to Mitchell Winter-Irving and a score in the 80s for surname sharer Zac, it was that pair again that wreaked havoc for the chasing side at Deakin Reserve, as well as veteran Mark Nolan.
Requiring a near flawless run already to reach the target, the Tigers were off to a sour start when opener Sam Holland lasted two balls and was sent walking for a duck.
Ten balls later, fellow opener Jack McCarten was sent packing by Mitchell Winter-Irving, leaving the Tigers reeling at 2-7.
Tyler Larkin began to dig deep for his side, but Nate Yze was bowled for eight; however, his exit brought on Rhiley Lau at five, who began to provide a resistance to the domino of wickets, and produce his best batting display for the season.
At a team-high strike rate of 61.36, Lau knocked the red Kookabura into gaps where his teammates struggled to do so, and dispatched nine wayward deliveries to the fence to make a score of 81.
It could be a promising turning point in form for Lau as the Christmas break arrives, with his latest individual score the first time the original Tigers opener has surpassed a score of 20 this season.
On his way to 81, he held a 51-run partnership with Larkin, who played a patient 20-run display before edging behind to the keeper, while fellow middle-order batters Nate Earl and Ramadan Yze went out cheaply for zero and 11.
Ultimately, the Tigers never came close.
With the remaining eight overs washed out, the Tigers still required 155 runs for victory with one wicket in hand, giving Nagambie a dominant victory.
Zac Winter-Irving and Nolan both claimed three wickets, while Mitchell Winter-Irving nabbed two poles on the Lakers’ way to a top-six entering win.
With the Haisman Shield so tight, Nagambie is one win behind the Tigers in second, with only six premiership points separating second through to seventh on the ladder.
The win will be a confidence booster over the Christmas break and, when they return in January, the Lakers will be required to do it all over again as they face the new ladder leader Kyabram in round eight, while the Tigers will look to bounce back in the new year against Mooroopna.
THE GAME
Nagambie 8-325 (Mitchell Winter-Irving 125, Zac Winter-Irving 84, Brendan Scott 2-40) d Central Park-St Brendan’s 9-170 (Rhiley Lau 81, Tyler Larkin 20, Zac Winter-Irving 3-28)
STAR PLAYER:
Mitchell Winter-Irving (Nagambie): The Winter-Irvings were the match-winners, but Mitchell was the pick of the pair. A huge ton followed by a couple of critical wickets dismantled any plan the Tigers had of winning this one.
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