On-target Tigers defend small total in rain-effected fixture

Railways’ assault on a sixth straight A-grade premiership remains right on track despite recording their lowest total of the season, in a rain-effected win over Manypeaks at Turf East on Saturday.

The Tigers were bowled out for 106 after rain reduced their batting innings to 40 overs.

A productive start had the Tigers 2-77 at drinks when the players had to come from the field due to rain.

Set batsman Coen Marwick (20) and Mark Natale (44) both fell shortly after play resumed and the Tigers collapsed to lose 8-26 and be all out for 106, their lowest total of the season.

English spinner Dom O’Reilly was terrific in the conditions, snaring 5-15 off 6.4 overs that included dismissing Zane Marwick for 5 and bringing Natale undone.

O’Reilly also ran-out Hayden Davies and Myles O’Meehan took 2-33 but with the loss of overs to rain the Duckworth-Lewis method came into play leaving Peaks a target of 125 to win.

Peaks’ hopes of a solid start quickly disappeared when Regan Poett was bowled for a duck in the second over and his opening partner Aran Tilbury followed suit in the next over for just one.

Harry Broomhall loomed as the man to lead Peaks to victory, making his way to 16, but his departure was the beginning of their undoing.

Veteran Tim Edmunds bowled Broomhall in his second over and it sparked a collapse of 5-1 to dent Peaks’ hopes of ending a four-game losing streak against the Tigers.

Edmunds trapped O’Reilly lbw for a duck in the same over and then the wickets of Seb Stanton (10), Warwick Durack (1) and Casey Ganzer (0) left Peaks 7-29.

Edmunds’ line and length was rewarded as he took 4-11 and was ably supported by Coen Marwick (4-16) as the Tigers rolled through Peaks for only 58, registering a double bonus-point win.

That result all but assures the Tigers a berth in the second semi-final in March as they chase another slice of history.

Meanwhile Royals remain in the mix to play finals after collecting a bonus point in their strong run chase against Denmark at Turf South.

Their round 13 fixture was also affected by rain but the Lions reduced the Magpies to 5-141 in the 40 overs.

Cary Green top scored with 53 and skipper Ryan Gaerth chipped in with 36.

The Magpies target was revised under D/L to leave the Lions needing 156 in pursuit of victory.

Openers Mitch Green and Digby Nuthall produced an unbeaten partnership, both surpassing 50 as they guided the Lions to victory in exactly 30 overs.

Green was 86 not out, his third major score of the season, and Nuthall (51 not out) reached his maiden A-grade half century as the Lions finished 0-157.