The Tigers had to fight hard to gain first innings points, and were on the ropes early in their second innings staring down the barrel of an outright loss.

Jung Tigers, expected to feature heavily in finals action, started the day needing two wickets for less than 25 runs with prominent all-rounder Chris Hopper still to bat.

Jung Tigers endured a nervous start as they struggled to gain the wicket of the resuming batsman Sean Christopher or Troy Dumesny.

Fiery paceman David Puls got the much needed breakthrough of Christopher in the seventh over of the day getting a close-in catch to Grant Marshall.

Hopper came to the crease and took a quick single exposing Dumesny to Puls.

Christopher and Dumesny had fought gallantly on both days to keep their wicket, providing staunch resistance on a sticky first day wicket.

Puls quickly trapped Dumesny on the crease, with his six wicket haul the catalyst for the Tigers claiming the points.

Jung Tigers captain Nathan Neumann said he was nervous as the Tigers toiled to get an early breakthrough.

"It was a good win, but I did get a little bit nervous there," Neumann said.

"But the bowlers did exactly what I wanted them to do and we got them."

The second innings saw the Tigers looking to occupy the crease, but were struggling early with an outright on the cards at 6-77 with more than 30 overs to remain in the day.

Usual opening bowling combination Andrew Gunning and Puls rescued the innings and ensured the six points with a 91-run seventh wicket stand.

Gunning fell agonisingly short of his first A Grade half century, on 48, hauling out to Matt Arnel at long off from the bowling of Corey Williams.

Puls finished 42 not out.

Chris Hopper held up one end bowling 18 consecutive overs and claiming 3-33 with eight maidens.

Jeremy Tyler, Matt Arnel and Williams picked up one wicket each.

Neumann said the nerves again kicked in when the Tigers top order again failed, but he was happy with the performances with the bat of Gunning and Puls.

"They steadied the ship, and did what had to be done," he said.

He said both were in line for a possible promotion up the order, while the sides recognised batsmen would be looked at after yet another failure.

"They have both been batting well at the start of the season so we might have to have a look at that," he said.

•More match reports appear on page 38.