The skipper fell just three runs short of what would have been his maiden first grade century as his side made a much more competitive 192 in their second innings.

It set Court House 108 for the outright off about 40 overs.

They were untroubled, chasing the runs down in 16 overs.

Skipper Farran Lamb improved on his first innings by two runs, finishing unbeaten on 43 after again opening the batting.

Blake Small (27no) was there with him at the end after Brodie Cleal made 23 retired.

Starting the second day with first innings points already in the bag, Court House had no hesitation enforcing the follow-on. But things took a bit longer to wrap up than they were probably expecting.

“Sam just teed off and swung at everything, and everything came off the middle of the bat,” Court House’s Brad Gander said.

They did give him a few early lives and he punished them for it.

“We dropped him about three times before he got to 20, then he didn’t give another chance after that,” Gander said.

He was one of five wicket-takers for Court House, Darrin Cameron leading the charge with 4-8.

Lumby credited his knock, which was his best for the season by a long way, to a more carefree mindset.

“I was just trying to hit everything. Honestly I thought we’d be bowled out again cheaply before 2pm,” he said, joking that “maybe it’s the way I should start batting”.

He said he didn’t know what he was on, and while he was aware that he “was close” it wasn’t until he was bowled by Cameron off a “ball that stayed a bit low and I missed it”, that he learnt just how close he was to his first first grade ton.

It would have been his second in grade having scored a century in third grade back in the 2011/2012 season.

“I was a little bit disappointed, it would have been nice to do it,” he said.

But he wasn’t too perturbed.

Again having to scramble to get a side with just six regular first graders available, he got some good support along the way from Justin Carter (15) and Josh Day-McGuirk (19).

Lincon Smith also chipped in with an unbeaten 26 at the end.

In the other game, Albion locked in a top two spot and kept their minor premiership hopes alive with a first innings win over Kookaburras.

Resuming at 4-55 in reply to Albion’s 130, Kookaburras were bowled out for 105.

Kookaurras skipper Cameron Milne (24) was only able to add four to his overnight score and there wasn’t much resistance after him with Braithen Winsor (17) the only other batsmen to make double figures.

After picking up one wicket on the first day, Ash White was the destroyer and finished with 5-17. Luke Ryan also claimed 3-33.

Albion were then in some early trouble in their second innings at 3-19 but Andy Mack (27no) and skipper Brad Jenkinson (39no) batted them through to the second drinks break, when the game was called.