Chasing a massive total of 270 for its round 13 Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield match against reigning premier Kyabram, Central Park-St Brendan’s knew it had to get off to a fast start at Kyabram Recreation Reserve.
Opening batters Rhiley Lau and Andrew Boyington saw off the early dangers of the new ball as they lasted roughly 10 overs of the innings.
Tigers skipper Tyler Larkin (43 runs from 101 balls) performed a match-winning 132-run partnership with star batter Connor Hayes.
While the Central Park-St Brendan’s batters toiled away in the March heat, Hayes was more than a class above.
After the heroics of Kyabram’s Kyle Mueller the week prior (when he struck 130 runs), Hayes arguably outdid his batting counterpart as he struck 127 runs from 194 balls in a damaging display.
Speaking after the match, Larkin said Hayes’ performances had continued to impress this season.
“(Hayes) has just been a class above all year,” Larkin said.
“He got (144) against Pine Lodge, but I reckon this (ton) was better because this one was in a second innings chasing and he got us home.
“He is such a good batter, he knows his game so well and he is going to be so important heading into finals.”
Hayes was dismissed late in the innings by spinner Louis Sabbagh-Holt (4-74 from 21 overs) and with the score on 7-246, it was no certainty that the Tigers would make it home.
However, the ever-cool heads of Brendan Scott (7* off 22) and Dwain Vidler (10* off 10) guided the Tigers home to a captivating win with one ball to spare.
THE GAME
Kyabram 269 (Kyle Mueller 130, Paul Parsons 46, Brendan Scott 4-97) lt Central Park-St Brendan’s 9-270 (Connor Hayes 127, Tyler Larkin 43, Louis Sabbagh-Holt 4-74)
STAR PLAYER
Connor Hayes (Central Park-St Brendan’s): The Tigers’ star batter was at his best on Saturday. Chasing down a tall tally, Hayes ran his side’s innings near-perfect and helped secure an impressive one-wicket victory over a close rival. Was a pleasure to see arguably the league’s two best batters go head-to-head in Hayes and Kyle Mueller with both players scoring outstanding tons.
Larkin said it was an uplifting victory for the group to be a part of heading into finals.
“It was a pretty unreal game; it’s pretty rare two teams bat their full 80 overs,” he said.
“I can’t remember the last time a second innings went to the last over of the game.
“We went into the game not sure that we would get anywhere close.
“Going into the last two batters Brendan and ‘Vids’, they are quality players and have been for so long, even with only one wicket remaining I still felt confident that they had the smarts to get it done and luckily they did.”
Central Park-St Brendan’s finishes the home and away season on the top of the ladder with a record of 10 wins, one loss and one no-result.
Larkin said the key to securing the victory was taking the match in small steps.
“We took the total out of it, to be honest,” he said.
“We set up the game really well with ‘Hayesy’ and myself putting on a big partnership.
“We knew we were playing for top spot and we know the advantage that position brings, so there was a lot riding on the result.”
This Saturday and Sunday Central Park-St Brendan’s will host Tatura for the first round of two-day finals at Deakin Reserve.
