PORTLAND Tigers have captured their first win of the 2023-24 Hamilton and District Cricket Association with a 57-run victory over College in wet conditions at Hanlon Park on Saturday.

The rain forced the first use of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method (DLS) – a mathematical formula which is used to calculate the second batting team’s target score when they are unable to complete the same number of overs as the first batting team.

The Tigers won the toss and elected to bat first and were on the front foot early as opening partners Ian Faure (29) and Ben Atwell (26) got them to 40-plus runs in quick time.

And while College was able to make inroads into their middle order, second-drop batsman Charlie Harvey hit back with a quickfire 33 off just 21 deliveries which included five boundaries.

Harvey’s performance was shortly followed by an instrumental fifth-wicket partnership between captain Will Oakley (37) and vice-captain Paul Procter (34), who scored at near run-a-ball pace for their 51-run stand.

At 4-162, the Tigers would have had their sights set on a total well beyond 200, however College still had plenty of fight left, able to create a flurry of wickets at the back end of the innings to have the Tigers all-out for 197.

Lachie Brown finished with College’s best figures with 3-39 from his eight overs, while Adrian Burn, Luke Purcell and Jordy Anthony all chimed in with two apiece.

Nonetheless, setting a target of 198 was a very good result for the Tigers, and one which College would have to be at their best to chase down.

College was well and truly on the right track early thanks to the efforts of opening batsman and skipper Charles Murrie who bludgeoned them for 49 runs off just 39 deliveries, in an innings of eight boundaries including three sixes.

A rain interruption right after Will Oakley claimed the Tigers’ first scalp caused the DLS to intervene with a new target, and College would now require 181 for victory off 37 overs.

When play resumed, Procter claimed the prized wickets of both Murrie and Hamish Bailey – who departed for just seven – all of a sudden, the Tigers were once again firmly in the box seat.

And while Burn (28) and Brown (20) provided some middle-order resistance, the Tigers were able to consistently break partnerships with all six bowlers claiming wickets.

Llewellyn Oakley finished with his side’s best figures taking 3-19 from four overs, while Procter (2-25 off six) and Nik Oakley (2-21 off seven) were also multiple wicket-takers.

Will Oakley said it was “very pleasing” to see five strong contributors with the bat in their innings.

“We still haven’t had someone who’s been able to go on with it and get a really big score, but to have five batsmen get 25-plus is a great effort,” Oakley said.

“Even just trying those little 10 or 15 run efforts into 30s is a good step forward… we got a really good start from Ian and Ben at the top, and there were a few other good partnerships along the way as well.

“We’ve spoken a lot at training this week about pinching quick singles when they’re available, and I think doing that today really helped us to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

“We got a taste of how the Hamilton teams go about it last week against Casterton, and we’ve taken something away from that… there’s a lot fewer maiden overs or tight fields set.”

Oakley said he was equally pleased with the performances the Tigers saw with the ball.

“‘Proccy’ (Procter) got two big wickets from us, Charles Murrie could have taken the game away from us single-handedly.

“In general, we took our chances, we missed out on a couple of chances but in general we did pretty well.

“I think the resilience the group showed was great, there were times where they looked like getting on top, but we stuck to our game plan and persisted.

“It was good for us to get some reward; we’ve had two tough results to start the season so for the boys to get some reward for the effort they’ve been putting in at training was great.”

Martin dominates as South wins again

South Portland has continued its great form to start the season with another win, this time at home over local rivals Gorae-Portland by 10 wickets at Cavalier Park, with Scott Martin’s 91 not out driving them to victory.

Go-Ports won the toss and decided to bat first; however, it was South who got off to a hot start, with vice-captain Shaun Lench claiming three early scalps while Rory Barry also pitched in with a wicket of his own to have Go-Ports at 4-34.

The visitors fought back through Nedbi MacDonald, who scored a patient 48 not out to steady the ship, with Andre Wallace (24) and Sam Atchison (14 not out) by his side as they made their way to 6-124 after their 44 over allotment.

However, South were in full control from the get-go in their reply with the bat, as Martin once again led from the front scoring at a blistering pace, making it to 91 off just 78 deliveries, while Barry (14 not out) held up the other end.

With 142 runs on the season so far and having yet to be dismissed, Martin is shaping up for a big season if this level of form continues.

Tyrendarra v St Andrews

DLS was used in the St Andrews and Tyrendarra clash, and despite St Andrews making 3-193 from their adjusted maximum of 35 overs, the Darras were set 242 for victory from their 35.

And while Tyrendarra made a good run at it, they ultimately fell just short, making it to 8-236 before their overs expired.

Michael Fitzpatrick was the star of the show for St Andrews, making the second century of the 2023-24 season with 101 from just 95 deliveries, in an innings which included 16 boundaries.

Dylan Murray was the lone Darras bowler to get in the wickets, picking up two with the ball while also running out the dangerous Brendan Huf when he was on 41.

The Darras openers Lachie Kirk (82) and Sam Wilson (66 off 49) helped to keep the Darras on track for victory with the bat despite their inflated target score, with both batsmen scoring almost at will.

A quickfire 34 from Jordi Withers helped keep the Darras in the game, however the wickets soon began to fall more consistently, and they were unable to maintain the scoring rate required for victory, falling just six runs short in the end.

Casterton takes down Ponds

Casterton District has continued its impressive form to start the season, winning their third game on the trot by five wickets over Pigeon Ponds to sit on top of the ladder.

Jacob Edwards was very impressive with the ball for the victors, finishing with figures of 4-15 from his nine overs, while Jedd Rhook chimed in with three of his own.

Sullivan Gibbs led his side home with the bat, making an unbeaten 44 as they chased down their 120-run target in straightforward fashion.