Leaders stand up for Tigers

Leaders stand up for Tigers

A gutsy effort pushed North Sportsman’s to a solid score after a tense arm wrestle with East Gambier on day one at Marist Park.

Both sides enjoyed periods of dominance, but neither could land the knockout blow in the grand-final rematch. The Bulldogs made the first move when captain Alex Hentschke combined with his brother Ben to dismiss Brad Robinson early doors.

Kev Thomson also claimed a scalp shortly after and the Tigers needed a response at 2/21. But the reigning premiers had the perfect man for the job in Jake Schutz, whose gritty knock kept the scoreboard ticking.

Schutz pounced on the moment East’s bowlers dropped short, while Elliott Fisher dug deep to score nine of 81 balls. Emerson Marks’ patience eventually paid off when he caught the edge of Fisher, but Schutz then built another solid stand with his captain Nick McInerney.

The duo used all their experience to compile 65 valuable runs for the fourth wicket. Despite North looking set to bat out the full 80 overs at 3/116, the Bulldogs answered back.

Schutz brought up his first Barber Shield 50, but some sharp glovework by Dion Stratford brought him undone on 65. McInerney moved to 44, but was also stumped by Stratford.

Some handy contributions down the order by Mitch Lewis and Declan Kenny gave North a late boost. However, three-wicket hauls to Thomson and Marks restricted the Tigers to 173, which keeps both teams interested when East begin its run chase at 1pm this Saturday.

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