Ellinbank seal top spot

Division 3

Ellinbank (8-204) def. Drouin (135): Half-centuries to Jeremy Gray and Troy Ferguson helped Ellinbank to a 69-run win over Drouin – with the win almost guaranteeing that the Bankers will finish atop the division three table.

Resuming at 0-25 in pursuit of 135, Lachlan Pratt and Matthew Robertson were both removed early to provide the Hawks with hope of upsetting the ladder-leaders, but the boundary-hitting ability of Gray and Ferguson soon put the contest out of the reach of Drouin.

Gray struck 65 before holing out with the scores tied, while Ferguson struck an even 50 before retiring.

Korey Carrison was the pick of the bowlers with 3-42 from his 11 overs, but even he couldn’t prevent Ellinbank from making their way to 8-204 before the game was ended.

Despite the loss, Drouin remain in fourth position heading into the last home-and-away round but they would be nervously watching their backs.

Warriors alive

Western Park (153) def. Jindivick (144): Western Park have kept their slim finals chances alive thanks to a tense nine-run win over Jindivick.

The Warriors delivered a stunning post-tea session that saw the Jumping Jacks middle and lower order fall away against the pressure of Stephen Briggs and Samuel Laffy.

Needing to win and needing results to fall their way, Western Park were staring down the barrel at the tea break – with Jindivick 2-94 and needing just 60 more runs for victory.

Mark Robinson had played some extravagant shots in a knock of 53, Michael Buzasi and Anwar Magnusson were at the crease and looking comfortable, and hopes of an upset win were low.

However, Briggs (5-53 from 24.1) and Laffy (5-49 from 25) combined to trigger a collapse of 8-43 in 29 pressurepacked overs that saw Jindivick dismissed for 144 in the 67th over.

The win means that Western Park need to overcome Yarragon and hope that Iona defeat Drouin in order to sneak into the top four.

Pullen blasts century

Iona (9-439) def. Longwarry (378): Sam Pullen threatened to pull of one of the most gob-smacking chases in Warragul District Cricket Association history on Saturday, with the talented top-order batsmen blasting 177 as Longwarry attempted to chase down Iona’s 9-439.

While he was at the crease the target amazingly looked within reach, and with Sam Butler providing able support at the other end the pair added 167 for the second wicket to well and truly put the Swamp Tigers on the back-foot.

A quick outfield meant that stopping boundaries was nigh on impossible at times, and Pullen took full toll on the bowlers as he raced past 100 and 150.

A rare double-century beckoned, but Danny Allen was somehow able to sneak one through Pullen’s defences and he departed with the score reading 5-305.

Iona were reinvigorated and on the back of three wickets to Michael Scully, were able to dismiss the Crows for 378 in the 61st over.

Kilday stars

Yarragon (5-246 dec.) def. Buln (140 and 2-89):

Not content with his haul of 7-64 last weekend, Jarryd Kilday belted an unbeaten century to help Yarragon take out a big win over Buln Buln – the allrounder enjoying an incredible two weekends for the Panthers.

Chasing 140, Yarragon were in some trouble at 5-110, especially with the dangerous John Allsop having been dismissed for a rare duck – trapped in front by Matt Pollard.

Kilday however soon settled at the crease and began to blast boundary after boundary – quickly taking the game away from the Lyrebirds bowlers.

Paul Harvey (who struck 49*) joined him at the other end for a 136-run sixth wicket stand before Yarragon declared at 5-246. Kilday finished with 118*.

Batting for a second time, Buln made their way through to 2-89 at stumps.