Gulls threaten to cause boilover Division 2
Hallora (9-145) def. Warragul (9-141): Warragul threatened to cause a boilover in their division two clash with Hallora, but the Gulls lower order couldn’t find the boundaries required to seal the win late in the day.
In pursuit of 145, Matthew Bow (28) and Brian Christensen (25) added 53 for the second wicket to ignite the chase, but Daniel Gregory (2-23) was able to remove both batsmen to stem the flow of runs in the middle overs.
Andrew Best (a confident 35) did his level best to accelerate the scoring but as the required runs edged downwards the likes of Grant Duncan (2-22 from eight) and Alex Henshall (3-14) snared enough wickets to help Hallora snatch the win.
Earlier in the day, Paul Bridges-Black (4-10 off eight) was in excellent form with the ball, but the Kangaroos bevy of contributors in the middle order helped their side to post an eventual winning total of 9-145.
Burgmann in form
Neerim District (7-192) def. Garfield-Tynong (8165):
Tate Burgmann continued his strong recent form, belting a third consecutive half-century, but even his run-scoring exploits weren’t enough to carry Garfield-Tynong to victory as Neerim District won their encounter by 27 runs.
Faced with a stiff chase of 7-192, Burgmann looked confident at the wicket and produced an excellent knock of 67, but only three other batsmen were able to make it to double figures and the built-up pressure from the bowlers ensured that the Titans would fall short.
Aaron Fawcett (2-38) and Jamie Gleeson (218) were the main beneficiaries with the ball for Neerim District.
Earlier in the day Bailey George (41), Matt Ward (a 20-ball 27), and Jack Ward (23) combined with a big extras total to post a huge total after batting first – with the Stags making the most of the batting conditions at Tynong.
Rakip makes difference
Jindivick (8-130) def. Western Park (6-129): An aggressive knock from Adam Rakip proved the difference in a tight encounter between Jindivick and Western Park, with the opener’s innings of 45 helping the Jumping Jacks take home a two-wicket win.
His efforts ensured that despite some late wobbles – caused for the most part by Fletcher Kennedy (3-19 off eight) and Wil Cole (3-13 from five) – Jindivick were able to sneak over the line.
The Western Park duo helped to trigger a late collapse of 5-27 that had the Jumping Jacks teetering in their pursuit of 129, but Sayeed Shah (11*) was able to hold his nerve and successfully carry his side to the required total in the 37th over.
Earlier in the day, Luke Hume claimed 2-26 and Boswell 2-25 to keep Western Park to 6129; Jack Barnes the pick of the batsmen with a handy 39 opening up.
Stern effort guides Eagles
Ellinbank (9-151) def. Drouin (137): An excellent all-round effort from Charlie Stern has helped Ellinbank take home a tight 14-run win over Drouin in their division two clash, the win seeing the Eagles remain in touch with the top four.
Stern compiled a patient 25 opening up to anchor the Ellinbank innings, with Michael Pandolfo (23) and Lachlan Pratt (an excellent 52) batting comfortably in support.
The trio’s efforts helped their side to post 9151 and the target proved too much for the Hawks to overcome.
Jack Pandolfo (3-14 off eight) and Stern (who finished with 4-41 from his six overs) combined to run through the Drouin middle and lower order and keep the runs down in the final few overs of the innings – dismissing the Hawks for 137 in the 40th over.