Crows enter as favorites Division 3
Drouin (134) vs. Longwarry (1-16): Having endured a dismal showing last weekend against Western Park, Longwarry will enter the second day of their clash with Drouin as slight favourites, with the Crows requiring another 119 runs for victory.
Led by Nicholas Pullen (who snared 6-49 from his 17.3 overs) and Jessie Lafrantz (who delivered an exceptional 28-over spell of 4-56), Longwarry were able to dismiss Drouin for 134 in the 57th over, with the Hawks top order finding the going particularly tough.
Steve Austen (38) and Rob Simpson (29) rebuilt the innings somewhat, but the Hawks still couldn’t post a large total.
Left with 10 overs to face out, Longwarry finished at 1-16, with Prout the batsmen dismissed – trapped in front for nought by Caddy.
Jindivick take points
Jindivick (3-84) vs. Yarragon (70) In an emphatic display, Jindivick have already claimed first innings points against Yarragon, with Andrew Pyle and Phil Young starring with the ball.
Sent into the field, the duo reduced the Panthers to a staggering 5-8 at one stage, as the Yarragon top order found themselves skittled.
The key scalp of John Allsop for 11 saw the Panthers sink further, before Zac Regester helped lift the total to 70 before they were dismissed.
Pyle snared 4-25 and Young 4-28 as the new-ball bowlers dominated proceedings.
In reply, the Jumping Jacks finished the day at 384 from their 40 overs, with Mark Robinson’s 37 the highlight.
Huge chase on cards
Western Park (7-293) vs. Buln Buln Buln find themselves staring down the barrel of a huge run-chase next weekend, as Western Park made them toil on Logan Park on Saturday.
Led by Daniel Hilton’s knock of 62 opening up, and Stephen Briggs’ superb 81, the Warriors made their way to 7-293 from their allotted overs, with a number of batsmen enjoying their time in the middle.
Adam Johnson chipped in with 32, Rod Breeden struck a measured 42, and Al Hickman (24*) and Raman Gautam (20) were also handy with the bat as Buln’s bowlers struggled to contain the runs.
Ben O’Neill (who claimed 3-58) was the pick of the bowlers for the Lyrebirds, with Sam Reid (2-61 off 18) also effective.
Pallot stunning
Ellinbank (0-50) vs. Iona (154): A stunning all-round performance from Chris Pallot has put Ellinbank well and truly on top in their clash with Iona, with the Bankers requiring just 105 more runs for victory heading into day two.
Having watched his new-ball bowlers struggle to contain Mick Taylor, Pallot took it upon himself to remove Iona’s gun all-rounder, and he then ran through the tail to dismiss the Swamp Tigers for 154.
That total was dominated by Taylor – who made his way to 92 before falling victim to Pallot – with only two other batsmen able to make it to doublefigures.
Pallot snared 5-52 and then made his way to 36* by stumps as Ellinbank comfortably saw out 25 overs, finishing at 0-50.