MERRIVALE captain Luke Gannon is hoping a round seven win over West Warrnambool on Saturday will pave the way for a more consistent output from his team.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In a game where the ball dominated, the Tigers successfully defended a score of 8-115, bowling the Panthers out for 103 at Davidson Oval.
Josh Stapleton (19 and 4-21) and English recruit Steven Plant (16 and 3-20) were the stars for the Tigers with valuable all-round contributions.
The win lifts Merrivale back up to third place in the Hopkins conference but Gannon is hoping to rectify a record where the Tigers have alternated wins and losses each week so far this season.
“Hopefully this is a launching pad to string a few wins together,” Gannon said.
“It was a bowler-friendly wicket and conditions overhead meant it swung a bit.
“Our bowlers used those conditions really well so it was a good result for us in what is a tight competition.
“I used Josh Stapleton a little bit earlier than I normally would, he naturally gets a lot of swing.
“Steven Plant didn’t have a great first spell but came back and ripped through the middle order, he hits the deck pretty hard.”
Port Fairy is on top of the conference after a five-wicket win over Wesley-CBC. Brad Parsons showed he has recovered from a hand injury with a double of 26 not out and 3-18.
Second-placed Allansford were big winners over Brierly-Christ Church. The Gators made 8-160 and then knocked the Bulls over for just 69 inside 27 overs.
