Division one matches in balance
Matches in division one remain in the balance following the opening day of twoday matches in Warragul District Cricket Association.
Ellinbank and Buln Buln were able to post big totals against Jindivick and Hallora respectively.
Western Park managed to bat out their allotted 80 overs but could only manage a moderate total against Drouin.
Neerim District and Yarragon enter day two with an even chance of recording their first win, with the Stags requiring a further 122 runs with nine wickets in hand.
Warriors bat through
Western Park 9/167 v Drouin Several cameos saw Western Park bat out their allotted 80 overs against Drouin, but with the Hawks restricting the scoring a big effort will be required with the ball next week.
With coach Sam Batson on the sidelines following recent shoulder surgery, the Warriors took a cautious approach to some tidy Drouin bowling.
Partnerships were key for the Warriors in posting a defendable total, with the top six all grinding their way to double figures led byMatt Wakefield (26) and Jason Croft (20) who both passed 20.
A 40-run partnership between Croft and Joel Batson set a platform before Wakefield and Leigh Diston combined for a 35-run stand.
Drouin hit back with wickets through the middle of the innings, reducing the Warriors to 7/118 and threatening to undo the early work of the visitor.
Dale Weller was rewarded for his marathon spell with three wickets (3/66), while Brad Glover (2/16 from 13 overs) and Simon Gardiner (2/40) also picked up multiples.
JohnPerry was brought into the attack for one over and the move paid off handsomely, removing the dangerous Sanjaya Gangodawila.
Zane Harper (32)combined with TroyLehman and then Angus Emery to guide the Warriors to a competitive total.
Youngster Liam O’Connor safely negotiated his one ball on debut to help the Warriors reach the compulsory close.
Big score for Eagles
Ellinbank 273 v Jindivick Half centuries to captain Ben Spicer (56) and Nick Fairbank (54) helped Ellinbank set Jidivick a challenging target.
Troy Ferguson (22) and Matthew Farthing (33) continued their successful union at the top of the order, paving the way for Spicer, Fairbank and Sean Masterson (40) to push Ellinabnk towards a mammoth total.
Although Dananja Madushanka (4/64) and Steve Dillon (2/37) did their best to stymie the flow of runs, Nathan Pulham (20 ) and Jeremy Gray (19) were able to keep the runs ticking over as the Eagles finished all out for 273.
Craig Boswell chipped in with three wickets.
Armour digs in
Buln Buln 208 v Hallora A marathin stay at the crease from Jack Armour has helped Buln Buln post 208 against fellow finals aspirant Hallora.
Unperturbed by losing teammates around him, Armour dug in for a 211-ball vigil that realised 86 runs.
Jeff Walsh provided some support with 22, but the bulk of the scoring was left to Armour who was the seventh man to depart with the score on 163.
Max Kelly (46)fell agonisingly short of a half century, while Bryce Monahan and Ricky McKerrow dug in late to help the Lyrebirds post 208.
James Williams sent down 24 overs and was rewarded with 7/51, with his spell including eight maidens.
Kumara the mainstay
Yarragon 141 v Neerim District 1/20 A half century to Gamini Kumara has given Yarragon a total to defend in their match against Neerim District.
Regular wickets to Dane Fawcett (4/27), Ben Lockett (3/40) and Kody Wilson (2/20) helped the Stags stymie the flow of runs throughout the afternoon.
However Gamini Kumara showed his class and could not be broken, scoring 58 to help the Panthers to a total that they could defend.
With 10 overs to face out before stumps, the run chase got off to a disastrous start for the Stags when Kumara trapped Ashley Lockett in front.
Nathan Bayne and Matt Kelliher steadied, seeing the Stags through to 1/20 at the close of play.