Kumara simply the best
Division one:
Yarragon stormed to the top of the ladder on the weekend, with a familiar face dominating the day to give the Panthers victory.
Resuming on 1-7 needing a further 151 for victory, Jake Borsato (1) was removed soon after the commencement of play, as Sayeed Shah (2-33) made his presence felt to send a scare through Yarragon's order.
However, Gamini Kumara and Lahiru Jayakody were on hand to steady the innings, the pair producing the goods when it mattered most to guide their side within touching distance of victory.
Kumara was his mercurial self as he looked to bat all day, while Jayakody (48) looked in imperious form for the first time this season. He was out just shy of his maiden Yarragon halfcentury with the score on 120.
With victory in sight, there was no respite for the Titans as Nuwan Perera briskly deleted the remaining runs from the chase with the reliable all-rounder supporting Kumara before he was removed by Brayden Ridler (2-49) for 36.
With the game won, Kumara showed why he is the best in the league, going to town on the new division one line-up. He bullied the attack to all parts as wickets fell around him, while APK Rangajith (2-8) added some respectability to the scoreboard late.
Kumara batted through the entire day, making another magnificent century (his 14th) to his growing tally, finishing unbeaten on 119 as Yarragon concluded their innings at 7-221.
A disciplined Drouin bowling outfit secured a comfortable victory over fellow premiership hopefuls Ellinbank.
Resuming on 3-17 with a target of 207, the Eagles' day got off to the worst possible start as Lyange (4) and captain Spicer (0) were removed in the first half-hour to leave Ellinbank crushed at 5-25.
With little hope remaining and the Drouin pace-bowlers running rampant, Gihan De Zoysa showed his all-round prowess, leading a mini-revival. Daniel Pandolfo (11) provided support, with the pair pushing the score to 60 before Mitch Smith (3-17) claimed him to produce his best figures in a Drouin uniform.
Nick Fairbank came to the crease and decided attack was the best option, hastily moving to 19, before being removed by fellow dasher Sam Van Der Zalm (2-40), who bowled crucial overs all day to relieve the pace barrage.
De Zoysa (37) was skittled soon after as Van der Zalm took another, with Ellinbank's hopes all but gone. Sean Masterson (20*) fought hard to make a game of it late, but a quick couple of wickets to the reliable Brad Glover (4-30) closed out the comfortable victory, with Ellinbank all out for 127 on a dreary day at Bellbird Park.
Neerim escaped with its first victory of the year, overcoming Buln in an absolute classic.
Defending 287 on an incredibly lush, potentially overgrown Neerim outfield, the Stags were frustrated early as Jack Armour returned to form and new opening partner Lachie Jagoe stonewalled the Neerim attack.
Jagoe (14) was eventually dismissed by Kody Wilson who found early success, before Ben
Lockett took over, sending Ireland, Collins and Armour (for a majestic 69) back to the pavilion in quick succession, with Matt Mitchell falling in between to leave the Lyrebirds in trouble at 5-102.
Wilson Pollock (dropped down the order to six) and Brent Eastwell were tasked with bringing Buln back into the game, and the pair did so in brisk fashion.
Pollock, who has been short on the runs the last 18 months, hit form at the right time. He used the short expanses in his favour, whisking boundary after boundary in a rampant display of hitting.
Eastwell (26) provided a great supporting hand but was dismissed by Matt Kelliher (2-63) at a crucial time, with the Lyrebirds still 82 away from victory.
Skipper Corey Jagoe came out to support Pollock and, as the hard-hitting left-hander approached his century, the Stags began to wilt. However, another Kelliher intervention was in motion, removing Pollock for 98 and soon 6-242 became 9-267 as Jagoe desperately tried to hit his way over the line.
Unfortunately, with 14 runs still to get, a frantic run out of tail-ender Reid was the result of a climatic day of cricket. Buln were stranded on 274 all out in the dying overs, with Neerim's celebrations fitting what is becoming one of the best rivalries in the competition.
Asantha Singappuli's six-wicket haul gave Western Park victory over rivals Hallora, in a low-scoring, spin-dominated game.
Resuming on 3-25, Hallora's day took a turn for the worst in the opening 10 minutes, with anchor Fraser Duncan (3) and Aidan Phillips (0) both caught and bowled by the left-arm tweaker in identical fashion, as the Sri Lankan native began to spin his web.
Dave Macdermid (13) battled hard for an hour as the Kangas attempted to dig themselves out of a hole. But as was the case with M'Shangwe last week, the pressure of a classy spin bowler can prove too much for even the most determined of batsmen.
Macdermid was removed by pacer Batson and M'Shangwe (7) by his spin counterpart in the space of two overs, with Lachie Pratt (4) gone soon after, leaving Hallora 8-51 and Singappuli in raptures.
Craig Byrnes (2) was run-out shortly after in crazy fashion, with a quick flick by Batson in close proving his downfall. With the game all but decided, Grant Duncan (11*) and James Williams (16) hit out in an attempt to pass the follow-on, but Williams was soon dismissed by Batson (3-36) after a partnership of 27 left them all-out for 80, confirming the crushing defeat for the ladder-leaders.
With another innings still to be played, Duncan (1) was caught behind early, before Surappulige (31) hit his way out of trouble with some dashing strokes. Brett Williams (1) was run-out of the bowlers' foot to complete a game full of misfortune. Surappulige fell soon after to leave the second innings poised for a frantic finish.
However, Macdermid (43) and M'Shangwe (44*) ensured that their side would not be rarely outrighted as the pitch flattened, with the Zimbabwean international in particular hitting some towering sixes out of the Western Park complex to round out proceedings and, with junk time continuing for many overs, the day came to a conclusion with Hallora 5-133.