Tallarook triumphed over Broadford by a narrow 25 runs to claim a stunning win that shifts it into second spot on the Seymour District Cricket Associaiton A-grade ladder.
A standout bowling performance from former skipper Lachlan Watts, who claimed sublime figures of 4-18, helped restrict Broadford to 130 runs in reply to Tallarook’s first-innings total of 5-155.
Played in hot conditions at Tallarook Recreation Reserve, the hosts won the toss and elected to bat first which backfired immediately.
Opener Daniel Fisher was dismissed for a duck, but a gutsy half-century from fellow opener Josh Rudge settled the ship for the home side.
Rudge cracked a crucial unbeaten 78 runs from 125 deliveries which consisted of six boundaries and three sixes.
The gun bat combined with Watts (39 runs) for an important 92-run partnership.
Rudge remained not out as Tallarook ended its innings 5-155 from 44 overs.
Much like Tallarook’s batting effort, Broadford lost an early wicket and found itself in trouble at 1-13.
However, opener Gareth Sharp crafted a whirlwind 53 runs from 50 deliveries as he punished the hosts with 10 boundaries.
But Sharp’s damaging knock came to an end when Watts picked up his second wicket of his spell.
Broadford was unable to recover as the hosts piled on the pressure and a stunning 4-2 mini-collapse all but ended the visitors’ hopes of a win.
Ben Tarran provided support with 2-32 along with Shane Topham, who ended with figures of 2-25.
Meanwhile, Eastern Hill cruised to a comfortable win over Seymour in the remaining A-grade fixture.
Eastern Hill’s opening bats went to town on Seymour’s bowlers and amassed a whopping 164-run opening stand.
Dallas Bergowicz (88 runs) and Brayden Speechley (79) both notched up brilliant half-centuries and deserved to bring up the special triple figures.
The opening pair helped Eastern Hill amass 2-208.
Seymour was unable to get its innings up and rolling and was bundled all out for 114 in reply.
Fraser Lewis was the pick of the bowlers for the ladder-leading outfit and ended his day with 4-18 from nine overs.