TALLAROOK made clear its status as a Seymour District Cricket Association A Grade threat with a comprehensive win against Broadford on Saturday.
The Rook overcame a slow start after being sent in on their home turf by Broadford, with opener Josh Rudge falling for a golden duck on the first ball of the game and Ben Tarran, 2, joining him in the sheds shortly after.
It was up to Tallarook skipper Lachie Watts to dig in his heels, grinding out 39 runs from 80 balls batting at number three to staunch the bleeding.
Kasey Duncan, 57 not out, and Leigh Irving, 53, also had success with the bat, with Irving belting three sixes and five fours to raise the run rate.
Jeremy Bradshaw, 2/20, was Broadford’s only multiple wicket-taker as Tallarook batted out its innings to score 7/173.
Despite runs from number three batsman Braden Hickey, 22, and number four Mitch Collier, 35, the Broadford run chase never got going in earnest, as openers Connor Stute and Gareth Sharp fell for a combined nine runs and Sean Baker, 19, was the only other visitor to reach double figures.
With James Jones unable to bat, Broadford was out of batsmen at 9/106, with Ben Tarran, 3/30, and Shane Topham, 2/14, doing the bulk of the damage for Tallarook.
The result leaves the Rook more than a game clear of Broadford in second place, and only six points behind ladder leader and reigning premier Eastern Hill.
The Eagles maintained their lead on the competition with a comfortable 63-run win against Seymour, led by 92 runs from batsman Ben Bryant and figures of 3/23 from bowler Jake Sutherland.
Tallarook will host Eastern Hill in a top-of-the-table clash this weekend, while Yea Tigers will return from a bye to play Seymour at Chittick Park. Broadford has a bye.
