Central Park claims points after dogged Haisman Shield bowlers battle with Mooroopna

Regardless of the stage, though, Saturday’s meeting between a Central Park outfit with ultimate ambition and a Cats side trying to avoid the dreaded 0-3 start looked like a quintessential episode from the Tigers of old.

Pitch conditions would hardly have made Central Park’s task any easier after electing to bat first, but this game looked every bit the bowlers battle which defined the yellow and black’s trajectory last season.

The top order fell disappointingly short as openers Rhiley Lau and Jack McCarten combined with coach Tyler Larkin for only 10 runs.

Connor Hayes, himself having produced a steady start to life back in Haisman Shield across the opening fortnight, was at least able to give himself room to breathe at the crease.

Though he eventually fell for 20 off the bowling of import all-rounder Ethan Baker, there was something to work with for the home side as seeing out the 45 overs became the main goal.

It started to look like Hayes’ knock might top score for the Tigers, which would produce a tally that even this elite bowling roster would have its hands full defending.

Enter Ramadan Yze.

The Central Park stalwart took it upon himself to deliver the shot in the arm this innings desperately required, smashing three fours and a six in a fiery unbeaten 43 at better than a run a ball.

The Tigers may barely have squeaked into triple figures if not for his efforts, but 138 looked a lot more bearable when the Cats’ turn came around.

Truth be told, it wasn’t long before Mooroopna’s victory target of 139 started to look more like 1000.

Not only was the top of the line-up skittled for even less output than Central Park’s was — and all removed by different bowlers — but it took until almost the 30-over mark of the chase before the run rate even approached two an over.

Ben Woods did what was possible alongside the lower order to restore a heartbeat in what had long looked like a moribund innings, leading the way with 35 as Jack Gaskill’s three-ball cameo yielded some fireworks.

Brendan Scott helped finish the job, though, as his four scalps brought about Mooroopna’s demise 44 runs shy as Henry Barrow’s outfit reels following three straight defeats.

On the winning end, though, Larkin summed up an afternoon which yielded ever-so-valuable points.

“Both teams probably bowled really well on a difficult wicket to score on,” Larkin said.

“We didn’t maximise our opportunities with the bat, but it was really pleasing to hold our own with the ball.

“(Rum) Yze and Dwain Vidler are seasoned champions who know how to go about their business and without them starting the bowling, it would have been a tougher task to win.

“Rum has played that type of innings for us more times than I can count and without that 40 it’s a completely different game; he’s invaluable in those situations.

“Until the red-ball starts, you don’t really know who to expect (the contenders to be), but hopefully we can mix it with everyone at the right time of year.”

Up next will be a local derby as the 2-1 Tigers head a few blocks west to Princess Park for a clash with a severely beaten Shepparton Youth Club United.

Larkin, while surprised to hear the wild scoreline from out of Kyabram, knows nothing is assured this weekend.

“We can’t take them for face value off that 60 since they made 200 the week before,” Larkin said.

“They’ve got a couple in who are touted to make runs and take wickets.

“You can’t just rock up and expect to win, so we’ll expect that we’ll have a fight on our hands.”

Meanwhile, Mooroopna looks to resurrect its faltering campaign on neutral territory at Murchison against fellow winless outfit Old Students.