PORTLAND Tigers and Portland Colts are locked in an enthralling clash in what could prove to be the most pivotal match of the 2022-23 Portland and District Cricket Association season.

The Tigers won the toss and elected to bat first at Henty Park on Saturday, and despite Colts getting some early success through Oscar Barbary, it looked to be a good decision as Michael Blomeley (46) and Llewellyn Oakley (23) put together a 56-run partnership to get their side to 1-72.

The tide began to swing back in favour of Colts as Mat Belden and their captain Luke Evans dismissed both batsmen in relatively short order, however the game remained evenly poised with Tigers at 3-95 just after lunch.

A magnificent diving catch from Barbary to dismiss Paul Procter proved to be the spark that Colts needed, as it triggered a Tigers batting collapse which saw them lose four wickets for just six runs – including that of star batsman Will Hardie for just 13.

From there, Colts were able to roll through Tigers’ lower-order with minimal resistance, eventually having them all-out for 116.

Belden had a fantastic day out, claiming 5-34 from his 11.1 overs, including claiming the key wickets of Blomeley and Hardie, while Barbary (3-30 off eight) and Evans (2-21 from 16) were the other bowlers in the wickets.

With their backs well and truly up against the wall, the Tigers needed to get off on the right foot with the ball, and they were able to do just that as Charlie Harvey had Glenn Hollis caught behind in the fourth over.

Colts were able to subsequently steady the ship through Alister Stannard and Luke Andrews, as they made their way to 1-36 and were in a very strong position heading towards stumps.

However, there was yet another twist in the tale in store, as Nik Oakley was able to produce some magic with the ball to have Stannard caught in the gully, before trapping Karsen Edwards for a golden duck the very next delivery.

With Colts sitting on 3-39 at stumps, needing a further 78 runs for victory, they’ll rightfully go into day two as favourites.

But it would be remiss to count out the Tigers just yet, as their bowling attack is surely capable of getting the job done if they’re at the top of their game.

Darras roll South

Tyrendarra is on the brink of claiming a swift victory over South Portland in their clash at Alexandra Park, with just a further 43 runs needed on day two with nine wickets in hand.

South won the toss and elected to bat first on day one, played on Sunday, but immediately it was the Darras who were on top, first of all by restricting their opposition from scoring, before Sam Wilson got the first breakthrough by knocking over Hamish Drew for a duck.

Lachie Kirk and wicketkeeper Hamish Aitken combined to produce a run out shortly thereafter, and from there Ben Menzel took over.

The veteran seamer ripped through the Demons’ middle-order, claiming five consecutive wickets in a devastating display of bowling.

While South were able to get some resistance through Mark Betteridge (24) and Harri Dennert (22), ultimately the Darras proved to be unstoppable.

South were eventually bowled out for 78 in 58.1 overs, with Menzel finishing up with exceptional figures of 6-23 off 12.1 overs, while Will Kirk (2-23 off 10) and Wilson (1-11 off eight) were the other wicket-takers.

The Darras were able to make solid inroads into their 79-run target in the final 18 overs of the day, finishing up on 1-36 with Lachie Kirk (11 not out) and Jake Wilson (five not out) to resume on Saturday.

The only realistic question now becomes whether or not the Darras can earn an outright victory and in doing so make up some ground on the top-two.

B grade results

An extraordinary innings of 116 not out from Troy Warburton was the highlight of this week’s B grade action, as South Portland were able to comfortably defeat Portland Tigers at Cavalier Park by 103 runs.

Warburton combined with son Lachie Warburton – who fell just short of a century of his own, dismissed on 95 – to put on 158 runs for the fourth wicket as South rolled to 4-270 in the one-day clash.

While the Tigers were able to have some success in their reply, the total set for them proved to be too much to overcome, as they finished up their innings at 9-167.

Ray Hastings was the pick of the Demons’ bowling attack, picking up 4-22 from his eight overs.

Gorae-Portland were able to earn their second win of the season, taking down Tyrendarra by seven wickets at Flinders Park.

The Darras batted first, however it was Go-Ports who were on top from the get-go, bowling them out for just 61.

Brad McDougall (3-6 off eight) and Rob Gurney (3-20 off 7.2) did the bulk of the damage for Go-Ports, before Ryan Gadsden (23 not out) and Harvey Reynolds (21) knocked over most of the required runs, with the victors reaching their target in just 13 overs.

In the third B grade match, Portland Colts earned a victory over Drumborg-Heywood via forfeit.