LAVINGTON skipper James Tonkin has questioned East Albury’s tactics after the Crows refused to push for an outright victory in their CAW showdown at Alexandra Park on Saturday.
With the Panthers eager to improve on fourth position on the ladder, Tonkin declared almost after reeling in the home team’s 168 runs with 60 overs left to play.
But Tonkin was left dumbfounded when East Albury reneged on the invitation to push for quick runs and finished 5-259.
“We thought we could make a game of it with both sides having something to gain from an outright result but unfortunately the other side took the easy option and it petered out to a pretty boring result,” Tonkin said.
“They made about 20 runs from the first 40 overs.
“It left me scratching my head why they would do it when they needed the points as well.
“That’s probably why they are seventh on the ladder.
“We were five points behind Tallangatta and one behind North and we could have snatched second spot with an outright while East was still in the relegation zone yesterday when Belvoir and Albury looked chances of winning at one stage.”
East Albury skipper Joel Shepherd defended the Crows’ tactics, saying they were highly unlikely to take 10 Lavington wickets after managing only one in 51 overs in the first innings.
“It’s disappointing to hear that,” he said.
“We summed up the situation and did what we thought was best for our side.
“It would have been a big ask taking 10 second innings wickets considering they passed us with only one down.
“We are a young side with limitations and have been through a lot this year and I’m proud of the way the boys have gone about it.”
East Albury’s Tom Wells scored his maiden CAW century with 110 runs.
Belvoir and Albury will be fighting to avoid relegation when they lock horns in the final round this weekend.