Jindivick take points in thriller
Division 4
Jindivick 9/158 def. Hallora 9/156 Jindivick continues to be the team to beat in the division four competition after defeating Hallora in a game that went right down to the wire.
Choosing to bat first Hallora had several contributors with the top three making good starts.
Regular wickets restricted the flow of runs until Paul Smith and Michael Harrison broke the shackles with a 48 run seventh wicket stand. Smith top scored with a boundary laden 33 while Harrison (27) worked hard to help the Kangas reach a defendable target.
Harrison Moore returned the best figures with 2/11 off four overs. Kevin Larkman made an early breakthrough and finished with 2/31.
In reply the Jumping Jacks were immediately on the back foot with both the Halloran openers claiming a scalp.
David Chugg (50) got the chase back on track, combining with Paul Beaumont to add 53 for the fourth wicket.
With the game in the balance at 5/86 Kevin Larkman gave the home side the upper hand with an invaluable 33. His dismissal however triggered a collapse of 4/20 that left Jindivick nine runs short of victory with just a single wicket in hand.
Unfortunately for the visitors they couldn’t complete the task with Harrison Moore hitting the winning runs in the 39th over.
Pick of the bowlers was Gary Donoghue with 3/27 assisted by Brian McDonald (2/22) and Brian Campbell (2/40).
Yarragon cruise
Yarragon 7/178 def. Drouin 8/172 A strong batting performance from the Panthers top order ensured a comfortable win over Drouin.
Chasing a modest target Carlo Ierfone set the tone with a blistering 54 that included 11 boundaries. Jake Green (51) continued his stellar start to the season, this time reaching the elusive half century after previous innings of 48 and 49.
Sam McDonald also found some form with a career best 48.
A flurry of wickets offered the Hawks a glimmer of hope but the visitors were able to hold on to take the points late in the day.
Dale Kelly made a big impact with the ball claiming 3/38 including the key wickets of Green and McDonald. Jesse Craig conceded less than a run an over in a six over spell that saw him take 2/4.
Earlier in the day the home side never quite got on top of the bowlers with wickets falling at regular intervals.
Brian McCarty (25) along with several others threatened to get going but it was not until Jesse Craig (22) and Campbell Jolly (33 not out) came together late in the innings that the run rate went up a notch.
Clinton Pinney and Gaige White fared best with the ball taking 2/22 and 2/19 respectively.
Neerim win big
Neerim District 10/180 def. Buln Buln 10/113
Neerim overcame a sluggish start to set an imposing target for Buln Buln.
Matt Ward signalled his intentions early with a rapid 40. Toby Bayne (29) kept the scorers busy before the Lyrebirds regained some control with the next four wickets falling for just 17 runs.
Faced with a shortage of batting partners Jamie Gleeson (55) launched a savage attack on the bowlers that saw him strike seven fours and four sixes before the Stags were all out in the 31st over.
Thomas Park was well rewarded for his efforts claiming 3/35. Jack Nuttall was handy with 2/31 as was Sam Langford with 2/16.
Unlike the opposition the home side found scoring difficult with only three batsmen able to break double figures.
The pick of these was Sean Symes with 27. Jack Nuttall placed a high value on his wicket, battling through a large part of the chase to record 26.
Lachlan Burn continues to show potential, breaking apart the Lyrebirds middle order and snaring 3/27. Jamie Gleeson capped off his day with 3/26.
Titans take points
Garfield/Tynong 7/174 (dec.) def Bunyip 10/89 and 6/63
With the benefit of a full days play last weekend the Titans resumed at 2/47 with the clear intention of securing an outright win.
Jake Lambourne was again the mainstay of the innings making it to 49 before being trapped in front of the stumps. Craig Cousin (22) and Wayne Danks (34 not out) helped the visitors to an 85-run lead with 30 overs to bowl.
Andrew Begg toiled hard with the ball being rewarded with 3/33 from 17 overs.
Glen Johnston almost single handedly delivered his side the 10 points with an incredible opening spell of 12 overs, four maidens, 5/21.
Bunyip were valiant in defeat however and thanks mainly to Harry McConnell (30 not out), were able to withstand the combines best efforts.