Jacob Montgomery has stepped up with a fine all-round performance in the absence of suspended captain Nathan Price and helped Wallsend to remain undefeated from the opening three rounds of the Newcastle District Cricket Association season.
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Montgomery carved out 116 from 96 balls at the top of the Tigers' order before taking 2-40 with his seamers, leading the visitors to an 85-run victory against City at Learmonth Park on Saturday.
Wallsend's 40-over total of 3-249 proved too much for the Sabres, who were dismissed for 164.
Montgomery, standing in as skipper with reigning first grade player of the year Price serving a four-match ban for dissent, praised the batting contributions of teammates Ryan Brooks (44), Cooper Lennox (38 not out) and Matt Lynch (28 not out).
"It's nice to score some runs without him [Price]," he said. "Not really me personally but as a team, with a couple of the young guys making 30 and 40 as well."
Montgomery, who was called up to the Newcastle representative XI in Canberra last week, made 57 his previous start to be averaging 86.5. He also recorded back-to-back centuries midway through 2018-19.
Wallsend are now four points clear in pool B with two Tom Locker Cup rounds still to play.
"It gives us a little bit of wriggle room," Montgomery said.
Elsewhere in pool B fixtures on Saturday, both Wests and Belmont recorded their opening wins of the 2019-2020 season.
The Rosellas (6-128) missed out on a bonus point but still accounted for Merewether (9-124) inside 30 overs at Townson Oval while English import Marcus O'Riordan (2-24, 40) and 15-year-old debutant Joey Gillard (35 not out) saw Belmont (5-150) defeat Toronto (8-148) at Cahill Oval with 11 deliveries left.
In pool A and one-day title holders Hamilton-Wickham are yet to lose this campaign after they chased down University's run-a-ball total at the Callaghan campus.
In the Tom Locker Cup final replay, Hamwicks reached University's 7-241 only three wickets down and with 3.1 overs to spare.
Pumas No.3 Rhys Hanlon made 96 not out to guide the visitors home, following on from the 140 scored by Sea Dragons skipper Matt Gawthrop in the first innings.
Charlestown survived a late scare to sneak past Waratah-Mayfield (156) by one wicket at Kahibah Oval, having lost 5-11 when needing 17 runs for victory. The final partnership got the Magpies across the line in the second last over.
Stockton and Northern Districts captain Nick Foster top scored with 71 at Lynn Oval as the Seagulls reeled in Cardiff-Boolaroo's 6-155 for the loss of five wickets in 35.3 overs.
POOL A: Hamwicks 15; University, Charlestown, Stockton, Cardiff 9; Waratah 3.
POOL B: Wallsend 14; City 10; Wests, Merewether 9; Belmont 8; Toronto 4.
