Yarragon upset Ellinbank
Division 1
Yarragon (7-313) def. Ellinbank (9-309) In one of the more remarkable games of cricket seen in the Warragul District Cricket Association, Yarragon have upset Ellinbank by three wickets after pulling off a stunning run-chase on the back of a scintillating century from Gamini Kumara.
Having been sent into the field the Panthers were run ragged by the Ellinbank batsmen – with the entire batting line-up cashing in one some loose bowling and a lightning quick outfield.
Michael Masterson anchored the innings with a knock of 60, allowing his batting partners to attack the Yarragon bowlers from the get-go.
The Panthers bowlers were their own worst enemies, sending down a scarcely believable 59 extras (including 17 no-balls and 31 wides) and the attack tired badly towards the end of the innings.
In reply, Yarragon began poorly with Jake Borsato, Andy Trewern and Ash Smith all removed early on, and at 4-76 it looked extremely unlikely that the Panthers could get anywhere near their target.
However, sitting at number four in the Yarragon line-up is one of the more talented batsmen ever seen in the WDCA and Gamini Kumara unleashed his full repertoire of strokes on the Ellinbank attack.
Having endured a shocking run of form by his lofty standards in the first half of the summer, Kumara quickly settled at the crease and once he began to reach the boundary there was little stopping him.
Blasting 18 fours and eight massive sixes, Kumara’s innings of 182* took just 118 balls – a truly stunning onslaught that left Ellinbank dumbfounded.
Timing the chase to perfection, Kumara waited until the final over of the innings to see his side to victory, blasting Michael Pandolfo’s only two deliveries to the fence to see Yarragon finish at 7-313.
Kangas give lesson
Hallora (0-80) def. Longwarry (74) Hallora gave the rest of the association a lesson in how to deal with hot weather cricket on Saturday – with their clash with Longwarry finished within 30 overs of cricket.
Having been sent into the field, the Kangaroos put to bed any momentum that the Crows had gathered before Christmas, bundling Longwarry out for just 74 in 19.5 overs.
It was the young and the old who enjoyed most success – with Caleb Serong snaring 4-17 and Simon Phillips capturing 4-19 from just 3.5 overs of bowling.
Left with a small target to chase, Hallora wasted little time in consolidating their position at the top of the table, taking just 62 deliveries to successfully chase down their target.
James Vela put his foot to the accelerator and made an unbeaten 52 from just 33 balls – his knock containing 10 fours and a six – and there was little that the Longwarry bowlers could to slow their scoring.
Buln slump continues
Neerim District (3-257) def. Buln (167) Not even a cameo appearance from Brad Wadlan could help Buln Buln to turn around their dismal season, as the Lyrebirds slumped to a big 90-run loss at the hands of an impressive Neerim District outfit.
Electing to bat first after winning the toss, the Stags posted a massive score of 3-257 from their 45 overs; with Aaron Fawcett and Nathan Bayne leading the way.
Opening up, Fawcett reached just his second half-century in senior cricket and wasted little time in converting that knock into an incredible maiden century – carrying his bat throughout the scorching heat to finish on 107*.
Bayne provided ample support with a sterling knock of 88, and the pair ensured that Buln would be facing a considerable run-chase.
In reply, Wadlan quickly settled at the crease and demonstrated his talent with a fine innings of 67, but just two other players were able to make it to double figures with the middle and lower order falling away badly.
Fawcett wasn’t content with just a century and he claimed 3-20 to hasten the end of the Buln innings, with the Lyrebirds slumping to be all out for 167 in the 32nd over.
Warriors defeat rivals
Western Park (5-182) def. Drouin (179) In the lead-up to finals Western Park claimed an important victory over Drouin – with Sam Batson again delivering an impressive allround performance to lead his side to victory.
He snared 3-36 to match Tyler McDonald’s three-wicket haul with the new-ball, and together with contributions from a spread of bowlers – the Warriors utilising nine bowlers in their 44 overs in the field – they restricted the Hawks to 179.
Luke Radford was the pick of the batsmen for Drouin, making an even 50, while Sam Wyatt (33) and Dale Weller (22) were also solid with the bat.
In reply, Sam Russell (38) and Sanjaya Gangodawila (a boundary-laden 23) added 47 for the first wicket and ensured that Batson had a solid platform from which to build from.
He put together a measured knock – his innings of 73 containing just three boundaries – and the increased maturity he has shown with the bat this summer has been reflected in his scoring.
With handy contributions from the middle order, the Warriors reached their target in the 41st over.
Youngster Aaron Blanch was the pick of the bowlers for Drouin, snaring 2-26 from his eight overs.