The middle-order batsman made an unbeaten 108 as the Cats posted 309 to put pressure on the Tigers going into the final day’s play next Saturday.

Tarbolton shared in an invaluable eighth-wicket stand with Lachlan Wareham, who added 42 batting at number nine.

Mortlake captain Todd Lamont said the pair helped rectify the Cats’ innings after they found themselves 3-76.

“I didn’t think we were going to get there (to 300) for a while,” Lamont said.

“We lost fairly steady wickets but we had an eighth-wicket partnership of 79 that helped.

“In the end those two (Tarbolton and Wareham) saved us.”

Lamont said Tarbolton was a versatile player capable of playing anywhere in the batting order who was enjoying a purple patch.

Tarbolton, who made an unbeaten 105 against Cobden in round five, batted at number six on Saturday.

“He was a little bit scratchy to start with but once he got through the first 10 or 15 overs he didn’t look like getting out,” Lamont said. “He was fairly solid. He put the bad balls away and ran hard between wickets.”

Lamont said Wareham’s contribution could prove vital to the Cats’ chances, with the Tigers to resume play at 1-12.

“He played his natural game and probably scored at a run a ball,” he said.

Mortlake wants to dismiss dangerous Simpson duo Nick Harding and Brad Salmon early on day two.

“We think we have enough runs on the board but they have a couple of key batsmen we want to remove early,” he said. “If we get them we think we’re a real chance.” 

Heytesbury Rebels opener Simon Harkness backed up his ton from the previous round with an important 79 as his team set Bookaar 283 to chase at Camperdown Showgrounds.

Harkness, who made 111 against Terang, impressed Rebels captain Travis Brown.

“He batted really well again, was really patient and hit the balls he should be hitting,” Brown said.

Brown was content with the Rebels’ total but stressed early wickets would be vital on a fast ground on day two.

“(Scoring) 300 would have been nice,” he said.

“We feel we have been bowling well enough so we are reasonably confident if we bowl the way we’ve been practising that we should get the job done.

“In saying that, the ground is very quick. There were quite a lot of fours.”

Noorat’s Warren Attrill took 5-67 as his side kept Pomborneit to 207.

Martin Wynd (16 runs) and Dean Abbott (29) were at the crease with Noorat 2-54 in reply when play finished.

Cobden was restricted to 130 against Terang, which is 3-36 in its run chase.

Terang bowler Tim Keane was economical, taking 5-30 off 16.4 overs.