Division 1

Yarragon (156) def. Buln Buln (108): Buln Buln have slumped to yet another loss in division one, this time going down by 48 runs to Yarragon.

The Panthers picked up their fifth win of the summer on the back of a stellar performance from Ishan Ratnayake.

The seamer delivered an outstanding 26over display of pace bowling, applying constant pressure and testing the batsmen ability to counteract a moving ball – and his efforts meant that the Lyrebirds were never in the hunt.

Corey Jagoe (who made 21 opening up) and Brent Eastwell (who made 24 in the middle order) looked the most likely to launch a fightback but they both fell victim to Ratnayake.

Rhys Holdsworth could only contribute 10 before he was out edging behind as his postChristmas struggles with the bat continued, and the lower order fell away to see Buln bundled out for 108 in the 69th over.

Ratnayake finished with 5-38 and was ably assisted by Gamini Kumara, Josh Harlow, and Tim Berryman (who scythed through the tail to finish with 3-17).

Lehman takes six

Longwarry (9-277) def. Neerim District (196): A six-wicket haul to Troy Lehman consigned Neerim District to another defeat, with the Stags now almost guaranteed to finish last on the division one table – barring an upset win over Western Park in the final round of the home and away season.

With a massive total on the board to chase down Neerim District needed their top order to fire, but against the accuracy and pressure of Lehman there was little the Stags could do to gain any momentum.

Some outstanding fielding from Cole Cook and Randall Mitchell added two run-outs to the list of dismissals, and at 4-50 the result was beyond doubt.

Only Ben Lockett was able to launch any sort of meaningful resistance and his knock of 76 at the top of the order was superb.

Somewhat surprisingly batting at the top of the order – having not batted above number eight for the entire season - he battled hard against some tight bowling and was rewarded with his second division one half-century.

Lehman continued to be a threat however and he eventually removed Lockett and the final two wickets to finish with 6-59, as Neerim were dismissed for 196 in the 55th over.

Hawks too good

Drouin (7-265) def. Hallora (9-191): In what could be a preview of a likely semifinal encounter, Drouin emerged from their