Panthers slump to loss Division 3
Drouin (142) def. Yarragon (69): Yarragon have slumped to a big 73-run loss at the hands of Drouin, with the Panthers batsmen showing barely a trace of resistance against the Hawks – bundled out for just 69 on the second day of their encounter.
Against the tight line-and-length from Charlie Wans (who snared 3-10 from 11 in a brilliant display) and Jackson Caddy (who finished with 4-17 from 11.3) Yarragon’s top order crumbled and from 5-19 there was never any hope of them chasing down the required runs.
Jack Cusden (13) and Brett Pyle (21) did their best to add some respectability to the scoreboard, but despite their best efforts Yarragon were bundled out in the 47th over.
The win moves Drouin nine points clear of Western Park in fourth position, with the Hawks almost certain of taking out a finals spot.
Butler blasts off
Jindivick (8-380) def. Longwarry (235): Sam Butler blasted 91 in a valiant effort to chase down Jindivick’s massive total, but ultimately the mountain of runs that Longwarry were facing proved too much – with the Jumping Jacks taking out a 145-run victory.
With the asking rate well above five an over from ball one of their pursuit, the Crows had little option but to be aggressive and Butler and Sam Pullen quickly added 66 for the second wicket to hand Longwarry the early initiative.
The removal of Pullen was a huge moment in the game – with his runscoring ability a feature – and from then on Jindivick were going to the only winners.
A knock of 44 to Jesse LaFrantz and Butler’s half-century were the stand-out performances, but Longwarry were bowled out for 235 in the 45th over.
Lenders lives dream
Iona (152 and 4-130) def. Western Park (139):
Kieran Lenders lived out the boyhood dream of many players last weekend by snaring a hat-trick to hand Iona a chance of victory against Western Park but he wasn’t content with that feat – amazingly taking a second hattrick for the innings to help the Swamp Tigers take out their first win of the season.
With Western Park seemingly cruising at 4-113 in pursuit of 152, the complexion of the Warriors innings changed with the removal of Johnson (35) and Kelly (24) in consecutive balls by Mick Taylor and Lenders then changed the game completely with his hat-trick.
Removing Kirk Dalziell, Raman Gautam and Josh Hickman, Lenders capped off an incredible game with figures of 6-48, helping Iona dismiss Western Park for 139.
Batting for a second time, Iona were on the back foot early on in their knock – with Josh Hickman in fine form with the ball – but once Mick Taylor and Danny Allen settled at the crease there was little that the Warriors could do.
At the end of the day Iona finished at 4-130 with Taylor (41*) and Allen (30*) defiant to the end.
Buln scrape in
Buln Buln (137) def. Ellinbank (136): In an amazing finish Buln Buln have defeated Ellinbank by the barest of margins – with the run-out of Jaxon Notman sealing a one-run win for the Lyrebirds.
In pursuit of 137 – a total that the Bankers have had little trouble chasing down this summer – Ellinbank were well placed, with Nathan Van Steensel and Lachlan Pratt in fine form with the bat.
The pair added 50 for the second wicket and looked well placed to attack the change bowlers and cruise home.
However Sam Reid (3-19 from 11), Brent Waddell (2-18 off 10) and Matt Pollard (2-39 from 16) had other ideas and the trio ensured that life was made difficult for the middle and lower order.
Regular wickets fell to have Ellinbank 8-121, but Daryl Hardy and Notman added 15 for the last wicket to keep them in the game.
Needing just one to tie and two to win, Notman was unfortunately run out – handing the Lyrebirds the game.