In returning to Howley Oval barely 50 runs adrift of the host’s day one total with seven wickets in hand and the dangerous Connor Hayes at the crease, the menu options expanded.
With Tyler Larkin inserted back into the side following his successful exploits in the Barossa Valley, the decision was his to make: take the six or make moves towards 10?
Jayden Armstrong had two wickets to his name late on day one and was able to make some inroads by dismissing Mitchell Brett, while Tatura still had a lead to protect, but it was largely in vain.
Hayes would take no prisoners with his approach, mashing eight fours and three sixes on his way to a tremendous knock of 76 which, realistically, all but killed the contest.
Larkin got right back into his habit of troubling the scorers in donning the Central Park top for the first time in a good while, with his 27 helping secure a perfectly comfortable set of six points.
Though he and Hayes would each later fall to Armstrong in quick succession, the Tatura skipper notching five for the innings, there were grander designs in mind for the Tigers.
Central Park’s declaration at 8-233, leading by 84, made intentions known.
Chaz Cheatley and Lachlan Magee had a simple task as openers for the host’s second time out: prevent the total humiliation of giving up an innings victory.
They did enough to oblige, putting on 37 for the first wicket and nearly halving the deficit themselves — but still, the Tigers’ bowling attack pushed the issue.
Surviving the day’s overs became the main objective once the remaining runs were off the board to prevent that outright and, though, Central Park would ask questions all session long, six points would be all Larkin’s men would take home with them.
THE GAME
Tatura 149 (Mathew Macansh 44, Daniel Coombs 41, Ramadan Yze 7-24) and 9-117 (Lachlan Magee 24, Daniel Coombs 23, Brendan Scott 3-32) lt Central Park-St Brendan’s 8-233 (Connor Hayes 76, Rhiley Lau 37, Jayden Armstrong 5-68)
STAR PLAYER
Ramadan Yze (Central Park-St Brendan’s): Backed up his terrific bowling spell from day one with some shrewd hitting down the order as the Tigers set up a winnable total. He might not have had as much luck with limited overs the second time around, but still firmly kept the clamps on.
An extraordinary eighth consecutive win — coupled with Kyabram’s defeat to Numurkah — now puts the Tigers clear atop the table for the first time this season.
There’s no time to celebrate any kind of rival misfortune, however, with the Blues now awaiting Larkin’s side on the other side of the holiday bye.
Meanwhile, Tatura has a golden opportunity to rebound and reestablish a good look at a high finals place in meeting an Old Students side which suffered a convincing outright defeat to Waaia.
