Two-day mode in division four
Round four action saw players move in to two-day mode at the weekend with some intriguing matches underway in division four.
Ladder leaders Ellinbank will face a real challenge in their run chase against Warragul when they start day two at three wickets down while Jindivick Black find themselves just three runs shy of first innings points in their clash against Longwarry.
Hallora has made early inroads after Iona set a competitive total while Jindivick Gold are in a dominant position after reducing Drouin to 5/41 at the close of play.
Partnership saves Iona
Iona 10/229 vs Hallora 1/52 A 131-run fourth wicket partnership has revived Iona after a shaky start saw them lose early wickets to be 3/67.
With the dangerous Sean MccCormack (31) back in the pavilion Lachlan Morris joined Muhammad Sohaib at the crease with the pair quickly settling into a good rhythm.
Scoring with relative ease on the small confines of the Athlone Recreation Reserve, both batsmen soon reached their half centuries with their sights locked firmly on a triple figure score.
Darren Humphrey put paid to those hopes however as he snapped up two wickets in rapid succession, sending Morris back for 73.
Not to be outdone Gary Donoghue claimed the wicket of Sohaib for 66 as the Swamp Tigers innings petered to a close in the 51st over.
Donoghue (4/41) and Humphrey (4/52) shared the bowling honours.
With 16 overs remaining in the day the home side got away to a flying start thanks to an aggressive 44 from Humphrey (seven boundaries) which sees the Kangas coming into day two holding the upper hand.
Five wickets for Jack
Warragul 10/169 vs Ellinbank 3/48 Young Ellinbank bowler Jack Logan helped his side to a dominant position early in the Eagles clash with Warragul, his 5/55 coming on the back of a stellar performance in round two that saw him claim 6/37.
Despite strong resistance from Amandeep Singh (36) and a vital 70-run stand from Paul Singh (who blasted his way to 32 with two fours and three sixes) and Gulls skipper Cam Smith (41), the home side were bundled out for 169 after 46 overs.
Heath Logan was rewarded for a tidy five over spell snaring 2/15, making it seven wickets between father and son.
It was far from a one-sided encounter however as Warragul rallied late in the day to reduce the ladder leaders to 3/48.
Amandeep Singh claimed the vital wicket of James Scammell (previously unbeaten in his two innings) for just two and some sharp fielding from Lachlan Waters saw Pete Felstead run out for three.
Stuart Davis will look to build on a solid start when he resumes on 23 as the visitor strives to keep their unbeaten record intact.
Hawks have wings clipped
Jindivick Gold 10/164 vs Drouin 5/41 Drouin face a big challenge when play resumes in their match against Jindivick Gold after a strong bowling performance was brought undone by some lack lustre batting at the end of day one.
Having been sent into the field the Hawks applied steady pressure, picking up wickets at regular intervals as the Jumping Jacks batsmen struggled to get going.
Mick Dixon (45) was the mainstay of the visitor’s innings, opening the batting and being the last wicket to fall.
Minor contributions from Daryl Bagnall (18), Brayden Rintoule (16), and Tim Jeffrey (15) combined with a whopping 43 extras helped Jindivick reach a modest total.
Sam Perry was the pick of the bowlers snaring 4/44 and he was ably supported by Angus Hales with an efficient 3/22 off 12 overs.
In reply the home side had no answers to an incredible opening spell from Jeremy Hill who claimed 3/7 off six overs (including three maidens) to leave them reeling at 5/41 with key batsmen Andrew Downie and Jack Jarred already back in the sheds.
Closing in on victory
Jindivick Black 5/87 vs Longwarry 10/89 Jindivick Black has ended day one of their clash with Longwarry needing just three runs to take first innings points.
Opting to send the Crows in, the home side used the new ball to good advantage, restricting the runs and taking regular wickets.
Geoff Rumble (12) and Jack Francis (15) both made starts which set the tone for the Longwarry innings.
Daniel Pullen top scored with 18 while Nick Pullen chipped in with 16 as the rest of the line-up crumbled around them.
Jordan Larkman did the early work with the ball, giving nothing away on the way to claiming 3/22 off 11 overs.
Shane Hoskins chimed in late with a parsimonious 3/8 off five while Gordon Winstone snared 2/13 off six.
In reply the Jumping Jacks faltered early before a steadying 43 from Dinil Srinath brought them back into the contest.
Kev Larkman held his nerve to finish the day on 21 not out.
Nick Pullen was the pick of the bowlers with 3/26 while Rohail Rafat conceded just one run an over to finish with 2/7 off seven (including three maidens).