A five-wicket haul to Alex Hewet limited the damage to Yarraville as it faced a run-happy Werribee in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association at Chirnside Park on Saturday.
Hewet opened the bowling for the Eagles, taking a season-best 5-66 off 25 overs, but the Tigers still powered to 7-255 off 80 overs.
It would have been considerably worse had Hewet not removed VSDCA representative stars and top-five competition ranked batsmen Shaun Dean (eight) and Tim O’Brien (six) cheaply and finally brought to an end a stellar 122 from Tiger opener Matt Dean.
PICTURE GALLERY: Yarraville v Werribee
The Eagles, clinging to a spot in the top six, will set off on their run chase when play resumes on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Altona was set 201 for victory against reigning premier Melton away at MacPherson Park.
Former skipper John Varchione came back to haunt the A’s with 94.
Shane Jones, who inherited the captaincy from Varchione in the winter, took a team-best 3-75.
Top-order batsman Aaron Maynard, who will have a big say in whether the A’s can chase down the imposing target, has been selected for the VSDCA’s annual clash with the Victorian Country Cricket League.
Williamstown’s Craig Sheedy was also named for the match at Chirnside Park in Werribee from 10.30am this Sunday.