Lovejoy keeps Warragul in the hunt

much tougher than expected in their clash with Neerim District, with the second-placed Bulls making just 145 against the lastplaced Stags.

With Matt Ward on fire with the ball – the all-rounder snaring 2-27 from 18 overs – and Nathan Ryrie (2-22) and Warren Darcy (2-11) providing valuable assistance, Neerim District were able to make regular inroads to the Bunyip line-up and helped to keep the required runs down.

Tyler McMillan (who made 37 opening the batting) and Jared Morris (who compiled 22) confidently added 43 runs in an encouraging opening stand, but from 1-87 the Bunyip innings unraveled late in the day.

Left with 11 overs to face out, Neerim lost Heath Darcy for a duck to see the score 1-1, but the Stags were able to rebuild and make their way to 1-23 by stumps, requiring only another 123 runs for victory.

Bartlett takes six

Western Park (160) vs. Jindivick A six-wicket haul to Luke Bartlett has seen Jindivick hold the advantage in their first and third-placed clash with Western Park, with the Jumping Jacks heading into day two of the encounter requiring 161 runs to win.

Bartlett’s haul ensured that the Warriors batsmen could never really accelerate the scoring rate, and together with Luke Hume (who went for under two-an-over) and Shannon Mitchell (who claimed 2-36 from his 17 overs) kept delivery a consistent lineand-length that made making runs difficult.

Bartlett eventually finished with 6-42 from his 17 overs, and the Warriors were dismissed for 160 late in the day.

Veterans Paul McCluskey (who made 34) and Peter Croft (who chimed in with a handy knock of 32) were the pick of the batsmen – but the rest of the batsmen found it difficult to score – with only Travis Maher and Dave Burn able to make it to doublefigures.

Brilliant Blair

Garfield-Tynong (143) vs. Drouin With both sides needing a win to stay in touch with the top four, Drouin will be pleased with their bowling efforts against Garfield-Tynong; with the Hawks restricting their opponents to just 143.

On the back of another brilliant bowling effort from Blair Weller – the paceman snaring 4-52 from his 28.1 overs – the Hawks were able to make regular inroads and prevent the Titans from ever settling at the crease.

Only Tate Burgmann (who struck 34) and Matthew Maxwell (who compiled an excellent knock of 51) were able to make meaningful contributions, as Weller, Kilday (3-26) and Wainwright (3-22) applied tremendous pressure with the ball.

They eventually dismissed their opponents in the second last over of the day, and ensured that they will enter day two of proceedings in the box seat to take home the points.