Western Park land blow on Hallora
Division 1
Western Park (185) def. Hallora (146):
Western Park landed the first psychological blow in the leadup to finals against fierce rivals Hallora, as the Warriors took home a 39-run win that handed the Kangaroos their first loss of the season.
Having been sent into bat, an aggressive start by Western Park handed them the early advantage and series of boundary-laden cameos helped them post a sizable total of 185.
Sam Russell (a 44-ball 38) and Sam Batson (48 from just 44 including nine boundaries) overcame the early loss of Gangodawila – caught behind without scoring – and their 66-run second wicket stand was vital in putting the Halloran bowlers on the backfoot.
Dale Fawcett struck a quick-fire 36 down the order to continue the flow of runs, and despite four wickets to Caleb Serong and a typically miserly eight-over spell from Simon Phillips, the Warriors would no doubt have been pleased with their efforts.
Many times this summer Fraser Duncan has been a rock at the top of the order, but as he has done so repeatedly throughout his career to dangerous opposition batsmen, Chris Perry removed him early on in the chase.
Tyler McDonald delivered his best division one bowling performance to date with a haul of 424 and he helped reduce the Kangaroos to 5-41 early in their chase.
Toby Codd (22) and Craig Byrnes (25) did their best to fightback but they had been left with too much to do, and after 38.1 overs Hallora were all out for 146.
Bankers bounce
Ellinbank (5-137) def. Drouin (135): Having lost what many thought was the unlosable last weekend, Ellinbank bounced back from that disappointment with a fivewicket win over Drouin that reinforced their finals credentials.
Having surprisingly sent their opponents into bat, Ellinbank’s bowling early in the piece was superb and the Hawks batsmen were made to work hard for their runs.
Damon Healy (13) and Jake Harper (23) took the score to 145, but at that stage Sean Masterson stamped his authority on the game with a stunning spell of bowling.
Removing the dangerous Radford for 14, and following up with the scalps of Sam Wyatt (0), Malcolm Dow (3), and David Sharpe (5), the youngster snared 4-13 to trigger a collapse of 7-27 that left the Drouin innings in disarray.
It took a gutsy knock of 41 from Simon Gardiner to carry Drouin to 135 but that total proved well short of what was needed.
Michael Masterson was a calm presence at the top of the order, batting with great discipline to make 29* and his watchfulness was counterbalanced by a belligerent knock of 51 to Matthew Barrand – with his hard hitting half century helping his side over the line in the 37th over.
Panthers win tight
Yarragon (7-149) def. Neerim District (144):
A sterling all-round effort from Ishan Ratnayake has helped Yarragon emerge from their clash with Neerim District with a tight five run win; the Panthers keeping their slim finals hopes alive in a scintillating finish.
Yarragon slumped to 3-28 early on the back of some impressive new-ball bowling from Toby Bayne - the seamer enjoying his return back from the lower grades of the Warragul District Cricket Association – and it took a fighting recovery from the middle order to help the Panthers post a competitive total.
Kumara couldn’t match his hellraising efforts of last weekend and made just 24 before falling victim to Fawcett, but Jake Borsato (30) combined with Ratnayake (38*) to help Yarragon make their way to 7-149 from their allotted overs.
In reply the Stags top order also struggled, and they found themselves 4-43 following a new-ball burst from Josh Harlow (who returned the figures of 3-19 from his eight overs).
It was left to Jack Ward and Rhys George to rescue the innings and their 57-run fifth wicket stand gave hope to Neerim of claiming an upset victory.
However, Ratnayake put paid to those hopes – removing Ward for 44 and also taking out the dangerous Dane Fawcett – and the tail fell just short; Neerim dismissed for 144 in the 40th over.
Serong returns
Longwarry (154) def. Buln (127): A half-century to Luke Serong on his return to the fold for Longwarry has helped the Crows take out a 27run win over Buln Buln; who continue to struggle in season 2016/17.
Having last played for Longwarry in the 2010/11 campaign, Serong came to the crease with his side struggling badly at 6-59, and with the aid of the tail helped the Crows post 154.
Seeing off some quality bowling from Jackson Noonan – who snared 3-24 from his eight overs – and a three-wicket haul to Brent Eastwell, Serong quickly settled at the crease and with every run further frustrated the Buln bowlers.
Austin Van Strijp chimed in with 16 valuable runs, and Randall Mitchell made 10 in a 34-run eighth wicket stand that provided Longwarry with the upper hand.
Buln would no doubt have been looking to Luke Gilbert to provide a fast start, but he was stumped for just two off the bowling of Jonah Serong and a lack of quality runs from the middle order took its toll.
Rhys Holdsworth briefly threatened – striking two boundaries in a knock of 18 – but his dismissal left the score at 4-51 and from then on there was too much for the lower order to do.
Tom Keily snared 3-18, and Serong finished with 2-15 as Buln were bundled out for 127 in the 36th over.