Buln Buln win high scoring final
Buln Buln (9-277) def. Hallora (9-240):
A stunning century from Brent Eastwell has helped Buln Buln claim the division 1 one-day flag on a day where bat well and truly dominated ball.
Eastwell strode to the crease with the score 2-45 early in the piece, after Jack Armour (one) and Rhys Holdsworth (a brisk 22) had been dismissed – and wasted little time in continuing the attack on the Halloran bowlers.
Having found a willing partner in Jack Paull – who compiled a run-a-ball 75 – Eastwell launched a blistering assault that quickly saw the run-rate rise.
Belting 12 fours and a six, the all-rounder made 100 from just 77 balls, and the partnership between Eastwell and Paull tallied 153, with the Kangaroos attack seemingly helpless to stop their scoring.
Ryan Williams (3-33) and Aidan Phillips (3-46) were able to claim late wickets as the middle order and tail fell attempting to further raise the scoring rate but the Lyrebirds nonetheless made their way to 9277 from their allotted overs.
Requiring a minor miracle, Hallora’s pursuit began poorly as Sam Whibley (14), Fraser Duncan (5), Brett Williams (13), and Ryan Williams (five) all fell cheaply and at 4-42 it seemed like the game might soon be finished.
James Vela and David McDermid still held out hope however, and the pair added 128 in a stunning fifth wicket stand.
Both batsmen made stellar half-centuries but the asking rate continued to rise, proving too much for Hallora to overcome.
With the wickets shared between the seamers, Buln were able to restrict Hallora to 9-240, taking out a 37-run victory.
A comprehensive performance on their home turf has helped Western Park claim the division two one-day flag, with the Warriors taking home a 29-run win over Jindivick.
Having enjoyed a confidence-boosting day against Garfield-Tynong on Saturday, Western Park found the going slightly tougher against their top of the table rivals but were still able to post a competitive – and eventual winning total – after batting first.
Paul McCluskey overcame a series of mixups between his fellow top and middle order batsmen – with Luke Gilbert, Sam McMillan and Adam Feltham all run-out – and his 32 opening up was crucial to the success of Western Park.
The experienced heads of Daniel Sheehan (26) and Dave Burn (25*) added important late runs and despite regular wickets the Warriors made their way to 143 before being dismissed.
The Jumping Jacks were watchful early in their pursuit, with Tyler Constantine and Greg Interlandi looking to see off the new-ball threat provided by Burn (who finished with 215 from eight) and Sheehan (who claimed 114), but once their partnership was broken the pressure proved too much for many of the Jindivick line-up.
A collapse of 6-22 triggered by three wickets from Fletcher Kennedy decimated the Jumping Jacks, and from that point on they could only make their way to 114 – handing Western Park the one-day title.
Division 3
Iona 161 def Western Park 135 Iona have taken out the division three oneday title in a competitive match with Western Park.
Electing to bat first, Iona fell to 5/22 before Michael Taylor (56) and Scott Hoare (47) steadied with an 88-run partnership.
Western Park responded with a spell that realised 4/28, but any hopes of ending the innings early were dashed by Craig Lenders (23) and Sam Accardi (12), who put on a valuable 33-run stand for the final wicket.
Western Park fell short in reply, bowled out for 135 in the 37th over.
Kieran Lenders (4/27) and Shannon Hayhow (3/18) did the bulk of the damage for the Swamp Tigers, while Taylor capped a good all-round performance with two wickets.
Division 4
Western Park 6/244 def Bunyip 8/242 (cc) Western Park have taken out the division four one-day title after a thrilling run chase saw them reach the target with 19 balls to spare.
Set 243 to win, the Warriors began in positive fashion with a 60-run opening stand. Kieran Morton was the man out after another good start saw him reach 16.
Kurtis Harper was the next to go, caught behind for 21. Peter Croft joined the in-form Michael Rabl with the pair combining for a match winning 88-run partnership.
Croft was sent back to the sheds with 37 and was soon joined by Rabl who had dominated the scoring throughout. In an incredible display of timing and power Rabl struck 15 fours and five sixes on his way to recording his maiden century.
He finished with 119 from 87 deliveries. Kenny Lindsey helped steer the Parkers to premiership glory with an unbeaten 17. The best of the bowlers was Ben Stewart with 2/46.
Earlier in the day the Bulls overcame a shaky start to steadily build an impressive total.
Arthur Begg (25) and Scott Squires (a boundary laden 67) worked hard to form a partnership but a steady flow of wickets left the visitors reeling at 6/132.
Peter Duffus and Ben Stewart came together and quickly turned the game back in their sides favour with an 86-run partnership.
Stewart was the next wicket to fall having made an aggressive 49 (six fours and one six) while Duffus brought up his fourth half-century of the season to finish not out on 57.
Pick of the bowlers was Lachlan Carroll who snared three wickets, including the big scalps of Begg and Jerry Whibley.