He, Ben Haire and Blake Small all cracked half-centuries to have the defending champions in a commanding position.

After amassing 4 (dec)-257 they have Mornington 5-29.

Mornington enjoyed some early joy picking up Jay Urquhart for just six, but it was short-lived as Haire and Small put on 159 for the second wicket before, on 74 and with a century in the offing Small came unstuck looking to clear the fence for the fourth time.

Lamb then joined Haire and they added 37 before the opener suffered a similar fate to Small. With a ton in his sights he was trapped in front by Justin Carter for 89.

Carter was on a hat-trick when next ball Isaac Harris - attempting the big hit - skied one high. It was a mere speed bump though for Court House as Lamb churned off an unbeaten 61 off 51 before calling a halt to the innings.

Faced with such a mammoth chase Mornington could ill-afford to lose early wickets but found themselves 2-7. Nick Willoughby (15 off 27) steadied things briefly, but when Oscar Thomas picked him up it sparked a collapse losing 3-3.

Pat Maher (2no) and Isaac Reeves (0no) though held firm through to stumps and will resume the chase for them next week.

Reeves was earlier one of Mornington’s three wicket-takers and the pick of the bowlers with 1-29 off his 11.

Oscar King has two of the five wickets with Thomas, Ben Irwin and Mick Flannery claiming one each.