Six teams in new look division

Division 4

Season 2017/18 kicked off in division four at the weekend with six teams taking part.

Jindivick will be keen to avenge for last season’s grand final loss at the hands of Neerim District, who have taken the step-up to division three.

Warragul comes into the competition having tasted premiership success in division five last season.

Western Park will field a division four side for the first time since 2012/13 on the back of an influx of young talent.

Bunyip enters a rebuilding phase this season after substantial player losses.

Drouin will aim to move up the ladder after a disappointing 2016-2017, while Hallora will be hoping to go one better after reaching the semi-finals last time around.

Bunyip boost morale

Bunyip 6/115 (17 overs) def. Western Park 9/111cc Bunyip has taken out a morale boosting win over Western Park with some lusty hitting from Jerry Whibley the highlight.

Whibley struck four boundaries and six maximums on his way to a career best 61.

Sam Michie (21) and Ben Stewart (15*) provided ample support as the Bulls chased down the target in just 17 overs.

Kieran Morton made a successful return to the Parkers, claiming 2/14 off five overs to be the pick of the bowlers.

Debutantes Josh Baker and Elliot Kennedy each claimed a scalp with seasoned campaigner John-Paul D’Amico chipping in with one wicket.

Earlier in the day the Warriors overcame a sluggish start to grind their way to 111 from their allotted overs.

Kieran Morton worked hard at the top of the order before holing out on 21. Peter Croft (34) battled hard to keep the score board ticking, combining with Josh Baker (19) for an invaluable 48 run partnership.

Brendan Agnoleto snared two important wickets to finish with 2/5 off five overs, including three maidens. Ben Grant and Jacob Stuckey finished with two wickets apiece.

Hallora untroubled

Hallora 1/97 (28.3) def. Drouin 92 (31.3) Hallora had little trouble in accounting for Drouin with Darren Humphrey claiming a five-wicket haul in his first outing for the Kangas.

Taking the new ball, Humphrey ran through the Hawks top order to leave them reeling at 4/13.

Jack Jarred and Jesse Craig stabilised the innings before falling in quick succession. Jarred top scored with 31 while Craig contributed 17.

Humphrey (5/14) off eight was well supported by Michael Harrison (2/30) and Ross Donoghue (2/16).

In reply, the Kangas were never headed, only losing the wicket of David Youlden for 20.

Barry Coster sent out early warning signs to the competition top scoring with 55 not out. His knock included seven boundaries.

Short chase for Jindivick

Jindivick 0/82 (16) def. Warragul 8/78cc Warragul found scoring difficult after being sent in to bat by Jindivick.

John Mulqueen (13) and Amandeep Singh (22) got the Gulls off to a good start but there was little resistance from the rest of the order.

Jayden Lee Thomson (the only other man to reach double figures) looked good in his first hit for the visitors finishing with 15 not out.

Jarryd Croxford gave nothing away, claiming 3/10 off eight overs.

Christian Stacey chimed in with 2/20 while Jeremy Hill (recruited from Catani) tightened the screws, returning incredible figures of 2/4 from eight overs which included five maidens.

Jumping Jacks keeper Tim Jeffrey was in the action claiming five catches.

The home side made light work of the run chase with Mick Dixon (28*) and Tim Jeffrey (53*) reaching the target in just 16 overs.

Round 2 fixtures: Drouin vs. Bunyip, Hallora vs. Warragul, Western Park vs. Jindivick.