Sam Pullen steals the game
Division 2
Drouin 5/206 lost to Longwarry 8/210 Sam Pullen’s typically classy 88 has stolen the game of the round against Drouin.
The Crows bowled first and continued some disappointing form from last year into their bowling effort as Justin Vanderzalm (50), John Perry (43), Matt Barrand (38) and Bailey Osseweyer (28) slapped the ball to every inch of the Bellbird Park surface on the way to 5-206.
Only Austin Van Strijp (3-40) provided any sort of resistance.
In reply things looked bleak as Jack McConville (4-45) and John Perry (2-26) ran riot early, however Sam Pullen was typically defiant, Solid as a rock in defence and classy in his firmly hit drives, he exploded to make 88.
When he fell at 5-148 the game was once again back on, but some hard hitting from Jessie Lafrantz (33) and a scrambling ninth wicket partnership gave Longwarry an unlikely victory as they brought up the win with seven balls to spare.
Tyrone proves his worth
Garfield-Tynong 3/159 d Ellinbank 8/155 New recruits can arguably make or break a team and club’s season, and AKV Tyrone has already proven his worth for the Titans, making a magnificent century to assure victory at the weekend.
His first role of the day was with the ball, however, and his 2-28- along with Grant Pearson’s 4-25 opening the bowling restricted Ellinbank to a par score of 8-155 off their overs.
Jeremy Gray (72) and Michael Masterson (33) did what they do best, score runs, however they would be overshadowed by Tyrone’s electric innings in the following hours.
With the score at 3-38 early in the Titans’ reply thanks to three wickets from Michael Pandolfo, Tyrone (108 not out, including 12 boundaries and three huge sixes) and Josh Horsburgh (a fine 22 not out in support) walloped the ball to all parts, chasing the target down in 28 overs and sounding a fair warning to the rest of the league.
Iona make fine start
Iona 8/134 d Warragul 55 Iona’s promotion has gotten off to a fine start, easily accounting for an under-manned Warragul outfit at home.
Michael Neilson (49) saw off the opening bowlers and was controlled in his approach as Iona batted first, while Luke Ferguson (26) provided able support as the Swamp Tigers reached 134.
Brian Christenson (3-16) started his coaching tenure off with a solid bowling performance, however he couldn’t be happy with his teams batting performance to come as they folded to 55 all out in just 17.3 overs.
Only two batsmen made it to double figures, while Shannon Hayhow, Ferguson, Sam Accardi, and Michael Taylor took the ten wickets between them and catapulting their season for the summer ahead.
High quality contest
Western Park 7/179 v Hallora 154 Western Park has seen off rivals Hallora in a high-quality fixture at Logan Park.
Batting first on the run-friendly ground, Dale Fawcett (31) and Paul McCluskey (25) dominated the early proceedings.
But wickets through the middle from two highly reliable figures in Grant Duncan and Brian McDonald (three wickets each) brought the game back on an even keel.
A terrific 92-run stand from Luke Gilbert (46) and Sam McMillan (43) proved to be the difference in the game in the end, as their division one experience shone through with some terrific strokes.
Needing 180 for victory, Grant Duncan (54) kept his prolific 2017-18 form going with an outstanding knock, however his only support came from Grant Williams (28) as the Kangas slumped from 0-74 to 154 all out, and a 25-run loss.
The wickets for the Warriors came from both the old in Dave Burn (3-18), and new in Liam O’Connor (3-30) and Jack Barnes (2-23), in a strong bowling performance that clinched a solid round one outing for both teams.