Eagles edge out Parkers in opener
Division 1
Ellinbank (8-168) def. Western Park (7-165): Ellinbank have caused a stunning firstround upset win over Western Park in round one of Warragul District Cricket Association action, with the Eagles chasing down a considerable target on their way to a two-wicket win.
At one stage it seemed Ellinbank would dismiss the Warriors cheaply – with the scoreboard reading 6-98 after Matthew Wakefield’s exit for 44 – but a lower order fightback courtesy of experienced duo Jason Croft (27* from 27) and Sam Russell (a 44-ball 42 that highlighted his run-scoring ability) carried Western Park through to 7-165.
With the ball, Will Robertson (2-19 off five overs) impressed opening the bowling, and Jeff Reid reminded everyone of his talent (snaring 245 including the key scalp of Sam Batson for a duck).
Faced with a stern chase, Ellinbank would no doubt have had memories of last summer’s semifinal in their heads, and when Michael Masterson and Matt Farthing were removed early it seemed Western Park would record a comfortable win.
However, Nick Fairbank’s belligerent 46 (his knock including three fours and three sixes), and handy contributions from Reid (29) and Sean Masterson (an unbeaten 30) edged Ellinbank closer to victory.
Sam Batson did his level-best to stave off defeat with three late scalps, but off the first ball of the final over Masterson worked Jason Croft away for a hard-run three, sealing the win to the delight of his team-mates and supporters.
Panthers undone
Buln (9-167) def. Yarragon (8-166): A stunning knock from Gamini Kumara wasn’t enough for Yarragon to stave off defeat on Saturday, with his knock undone by the lastwicket stand heroics of Jarryd Kilday and James Ireland.
Chasing the Panthers’ total of 8-166 (of which Kumara contributed 75*), Buln’s chase began terribly – with both Jack Paull and Jack Armour dismissed without scoring – and for much of the run-chase the Lyrebirds seemed to struggle to match the required scoring rate.
It seemed increasingly unlikely that they would be able to reach the target once Rhys Holdsworth was removed – caught off the bowling of Laytten Smith for 37 – and Brent Eastwell had his stumps disturbed by Ishan Ratnayake to be on his way for 38.
Once Jackson Noonan was run-out for one, the score was 9-143 and the Panthers were moving in for the kill.
Defying everything that was thrown at him, Kilday marked his debut for Buln Buln with a brilliant unbeaten 24 and his nerves held out late in the piece, with James Ireland (9*) matching his efforts at the other end.
The duo carried the Lyrebirds over the line in the 39th over, claiming victory by the barest of margins.
Hawks grind it out
Drouin (7-95) def. Longwarry (92): Drouin and Longwarry played out a low-scoring thriller at the weekend, with the Hawks eventually overcoming some wobbles with the bat to claim a three-wicket win over the Crows.
Launching what on paper appeared to be a regulation chase – with Longwarry making just 92 after electing to bat first – Drouin’s top order found the going tough against Thomas Keily.
The all-rounder removed Paul Timewell (3), Jake Harper (12) and Sam Wyatt (0) in quick succession to well and truly put the Hawks on the backfoot, and with Pullen delivering a tight spell at the other end, Longwarry’s hopes of victory skyrocketed.
However, for all their clever work, they couldn’t overcome some solid lower order batting from Chris Gardiner, as he and Brad Glover combined for an unbeaten 18-run eighth wicket stand that helped Drouin sneak across the line in the 29th over.
Earlier in the day, hauls of 3-15 to Trevor Gardiner and 2-11 to Jackson Caddy saw Drouin bundle Longwarry for a double-digit target, and their consistent pressure with the ball paid dividends come the end of the match. Hallora had the bye. Round 2 fixtures: Drouin vs Buln Buln, Yarragon vs Longwarry, Ellinbank vs Hallora.