While few of the Tigers would believe in voodoo, they wouldn’t be wrong for thinking someone or something has conjured up a curse making it near impossible for them to finish off a game.

On Saturday at Bradman Oval, the winless Tigers looked like handing Hill Top the lowest score of the summer after the Kookaburras were 4-1 only two overs into their run chase of Wingello’s 205.

But rain intervened and after a 20-minute delay Hill Top’s target was reduced to 175. Hill Tip opener Alex Martyn (76) steadied the ship as all the top order fell around him.

Kookaburra skipper Dean Felber (22) got the run rate ticking over but when he fell Hill Top were still in a precarious position at 5-34.

Dave Walker (38 no) and Martyn combined for a 100-run sixth wicket stand before Adam Shute (20 no) steered Hill Top home with four wickets in hand.

The Tigers were left wondering where they went wrong. Grant Pike (2-24) and Andrew Benson (3-25) opened the bowling beautifully with Benson claiming two wickets in his opening deliveries. Arron Deegan (1-31) chipped in but Tigers skipper Michael Pike said the rain delay and wet outfield meant the ball had “had it”.

“We might as well have been bowling with a Kanga ball,” he said.

Pike said he was happy with his team’s batting.

“I thought we posted a reasonable total but we aren’t having any luck at all,” he said.

“We spoke about bowling full with the pitch doing a bit and we did.”

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Monday, December 22

sport.highlandnews@ruralp ress.com