Depleted Tigers tame Lions in tight finish

A depleted Railways have prevailed in a thrilling round 7 Albany Cricket Association A-grade clash with Royals, winning in the final over of their tense 50-over match on Saturday to go further ahead at the top of the table.

The Tigers were without first choice players Zane Marwick, Mitch Green, Nathan Crudeli, Tim Edmunds, Ryan Tindale and Aidan Dallimore and called upon Brendan Crudeli to play his first game of the season.

After winning the toss and batting on Turf West, the Tigers were in early bother after former player Dylan Holt (2-24) snared Jack Richards and Liam Want cheaply for the Lions.

And the reigning premiers were 3-15 when Marcus Mellon removed Alan Pietersen for a duck.

Acting skipper Matt Walters (14) got a start, only to be caught behind off Jeremy Ellis, leaving Brendan Crudeli and Coen Marwick to get their side out of trouble.

The pair shared in a 54-run fifth-wicket stand, both showing patience against the disciplined Lions attack, which helped the Tigers set a difficult target of 152.

Brendan Crudeli chopped on for 39 and Coen Marwick was dismissed by Lions spinner Jack Hastie on 31 soon after but the Tigers tail wagged as contributions from youngster Sam Want (26) and Hayden Davies (14) frustrated their opponents.

Hastie snared 3-29 while Mellon bowled a terrific 10-over spell to finish with 1-24.

The Lions needed just above three runs an over to secure victory but started dreadfully as Digby Nuthall (0), Matt Wolfe (13) and Dylan Holt (1) were all gone in the first 10 overs.

English import Shameer Ahmed’s lean summer continued, out for four, and when Hastie fell on eight, a Lions victory appeared a long way off at 5-43.

Veteran Ian Attwell dug in, however, as he and wicketkeeper Scott Worsfold set about rescuing the Lions innings, as they combined for a 54-run partnership.

Worsfold was bowled by Jack Richards on 24 and late runs from Cameron Newbold (12) and Ted Batchelor (17 not out) to go with Attwell’s patient half-century at the other end ensured the Lions were still a chance to win.

Attwell was run-out for a superb 57 in the 47th over as Batchelor and Jeremy Ellis tried to win the game for Lions.

The Lions needed 13 runs from the final two overs and then eight from the last over, which was bowled by Coen Marwick.

But he was able to bring undone Ellis on two, caught behind as the Lions fell four runs short.

Coen Marwick took 3-36 to play a crucial role with the ball while Davies (2-15) and Richards (2-21) helped restrict the Lions to 148.