Bulls slump at hands of Drouin
Drouin (5-139) def. Bunyip (135): Bunyip’s stint at the top of the division two table was short-lived, as the Bulls slumped to a five-wicket loss at the hands of Drouin.
Having been sent into bat by the Hawks, Bunyip’s top order struggled for one of the few times this summer – with Tyler McMillan removed for just five, James McKellar making three, Sam McMillan out for three – and at 5-53 their hopes of a big first innings total were well and truly quashed.
Rhys Fairlie (4-20) and Jon Perry (3-22) were the key instigators with the ball, and although Adam Rakip hit a typically aggressive 46 the Bulls could only make it to 135 before being bowled out.
In reply, the Hawks’ chase was led by Paul Timewell and his measured 32 ensured that there would be no early collapse by Drouin.
He combined with Jon Perry (15) and Nick Harper (22) and was helped out by some errant bowling from Bunyip. They sent down a staggering 32 wides and five no-balls, with the 43 extras hastening their defeat as Drouin reached their target in the 34th over.
Titans in contention
Garfield-Tynong (1-93) def. Neerim District (90): Garfield-Tynong well and truly put themselves back into finals contention at the weekend, taking out a crushing nine-wicket win over Neerim District as a horrific collapse saw the Stags skittled.
Marc Pinkerton (20) and Craig Cooke (29) had combined for a 32-run third wicket stand that looked to have rescued the Neerim innings from some early wobbles, but they couldn’t possibly have envisaged the outrageous end to their sides time at the crease.
Glenn Miller and Joshua Horsburgh delivered just three overs between them, but in that time managed to snare an incredible 6-7, as batsmen after batsmen perished.
Horsburgh had time to send down two wides in his solitary over and still claimed 3-6, while Miller snared 3-1 from his two overs.
In pursuit of just 90 Matthew Maxwell made a classy unbeaten 43 that well and truly deflated the Stags – who used nine bowlers in their pursuit of wickets.
He combined with Thomas Brown (who made 18*) as the Titans eased home in the 28th over, finishing at 1-93.
Warriors fall short
Hallora (7-146) def. Western Park (133): Win the toss and bat. Or, win the toss, think about bowling, and then bat.
This is the typical thought process of most captains. However on the weekend it didn’t quite go to plan for Paul McCluskey as Western Park fell just short in their run-chase against Hallora.
His plans looked for all the world to be vindicated as Dave Burn wreaked havoc against the Kangaroos top order, the seamer snaring the opening four wickets to reduce Hallora to 4-29 – but Grant Duncan and Jai Newcombe’s recovery efforts overcame his wicket-taking ability.
The pair added 87 for the fifth wicket to help carry their side to 7-146 with Duncan making 34 and Newcombe 42 as the Kangaroos posted a challenging target.
Rod Breeden and Travis Maher were removed early on and Matt Wakefield departed soon after to leave the Western Park inning struggling at 3-16 and Hallora were soon on the front foot.
Kayne Badman (a measured 26) and Paul McCluskey (a spritely 48) did their level best to rescue the innings, but McCluskey’s dismissal at the hands of good friends Newcombe and Duncan left too much for the last pair to do and the Warriors were dismissed for 133.
Match full of runs
Jindivick (8-222) def. Warragul (8-145): In a match full of runs Jindivick emerged victorious over Warragul to the tune of 77 runs, with Harry Moore once again leading the way with the bat.
In a match reduced to 30 overs a side as a result of a late venue change, the Jumping Jacks were sent into bat and took full advantage of that decision with an aggressive approach paying dividends.
Matt Heeps struck 40 opening up to kickstart the innings and Moore (63), Steven Dillon (27) and Michael Buzasi (24*) continued to attack the Warragul bowlers as they posted 8-222.
Jarred Carroll (2-35) and Nathan McFarlane (3-29 and at one stage on a hat-trick) did their best to stem the flow of runs with regular wickets, but the change bowlers at the end of the innings were dealt with harshly.
In reply, Nick Reed belted a quick-fire 51 to provide some hope of a successful chase for the Gulls but the asking rate kept rising with each dot-ball and it proved too much in the end as they finished at 8-145.
Shannon Mitchell (3-25) and Jordan Smith (2-31) were the pick of the bowlers for the Jumping Jacks.