Dominant Gulls sit top of the ladder
Division four:
Warragul sit at the top of the division four ladder after round six concluded at the weekend.
The Gulls dominated in their contest with Hallora, taking home first innings points on day one.
In other matches, Western Park comfortably reached the target set by Jindivick while Longwarry had little trouble in accounting for Iona.
Kear unstoppable
Gary Kear’s phenomenal start to the season continued on the weekend with the Longwarry top-order batsman recording a third consecutive century in the Crows win over Iona.
In just four innings, Kear has amassed 432 runs at an astounding average of 216.
Chasing a competitive target, the visitors got away to a positive start as Geoff Rumble and Joe Pullen (40) put on 70 for the first wicket. Evan Wright (21) joined Rumble and the pair kept the momentum going, setting a solid platform for what was to come.
Entering the arena at 2-100, Kear quickly took control of the scoring as he and Rumble (31) added 43 for the third wicket. Joined by Ben McKenna with the Crows firmly in control, the pair added a further 86 as Kear continued his assault on the bowlers, achieving the rare feat and leading his side to victory. He finished the day on 104 not out.
Michael Scully toiled hard for the Swamp Tigers to finish with 3-66 off 16 overs.
Resilient Warriors
A resilient Western Park claimed the four points in its clash with Jindivick.
Chasing a slightly below par target, the Warriors campaign started disastrously as they quickly lost both openers to be in trouble at 2-5.
Michael Modaffari and Tyler McMillan offered minor resistance before the home side were again on the ropes at 4-45. McMillan continued to chip away at the deficit before snicking off for a hard earned 58.
Facing a big challenge, Western Park skipper Paul McCluskey settled at the crease, prepared to tough it out and keep his side in the contest. Joined by Chris Wettenhall, with the Warriors still 94 runs in arrears, the pair set in motion a fantastic rear-guard action that saw them gradually gain the upper hand.
Both batsmen were a picture of concentration as they worked the ball through the field, rotating the strike and picking off anything loose. They closed in on the target as their teammates held their collective breath.
The winning runs were finally struck in the 61st over, completing an amazing come-from-behind victory.
McCluskey top scored with a measured 78 not out that included 11 boundaries, while Wettenhall also remained not out on 42 with six boundaries.
Brad Luka’ step-up from division five was an absolute success, with the young quick snaring his first five wicket haul in senior cricket. He finished with the remarkably economical figures of 5-29 off 16 overs, which included five maidens.
Warragul undefeated
Warragul remain undefeated after a comprehensive win over Hallora.
Chasing a rare outright victory, the Gulls resumed on 3-208 and, thanks to a vital 40 not out from Neville Dyt, were able to extend their lead to 184 before making the declaration.
Darren Humphrey (2-50) and Chris Polo (2-19) were the multiple wicket takers.
Hallora fared much better in its second dig after an early scare saw them at 1-12. Daniel Simons and Darren Humphrey rallied for the Kangas with an 88-run second wicket partnership.
Both batsmen took to the change bowlers, Simons finishing on 68 not out with nine boundaries, including three maximums, and Humphrey falling late in the day for 47 (seven fours and one six).
Peter Smith finished with two wickets.
Yarragon needed just the first part of the day to topple Jindivick, crushing the Jumping Jacks away from home.
Chasing just 87, the Panthers fell to 2-15 in a rocky start before Tim Jeffrey (49) produced a steadying innings to see his side home comfortably.
Brandon Interlandi (4-32) showed his all-round prowess with another impressive performance, however, he had little support from his teammates, as Yarragon cruised to a five-wicket win inside 25 overs.
The Blues-bandwagon kept on rolling on the weekend, as Catani's sound bowling unit defended a meagre total against Western Park.
With 150 to chase, the Warriors through Daniel Hilton (37) looked set to produce a comfortable victory. That was before George Zekic (3-16) and Riley Miller (3-17) once again took over with a stunning display of bowling. The pair dominated a batting line-up that was inexperienced and panicked, with Stephen Briggs (32) the only source of fightback as Western Park were rolled for 115, and Catani cemented