Frantic last stand
Division two:
A frantic last-wicket stand from two Drouin youngsters has given the Hawks six crucial points over Hallora.
Bowling first, Drouin kept Hallora in check for the majority of the innings, as Dale Weller’s return netted figures of 2-16 and John Perry also took two wickets.
Dave Macdermid (35), Lachie Pratt (29) and Jai Serong (29) held the innings together for Hallora, who made a competitive 8-147.
The game seemed destined to come down to the death and so it proved, as the game ebbed and flowed the whole way.
Jacob Kleeven (3-33) and Daniel Hughes (322) picked up wickets at crucial times, as Drouin fell to 9-137 late in the innings with 11 still required.
Enter Charlie Wans and Regan Hodge. The pair showed they have ice in their veins, finding the 11 nervy runs needed to secure a heartstopping win.
A massive century from Sean Viotto has seen Jindivick complete one of the largest one-day victories ever seen over a young Ellinbank side.
Viotto made a sensational 118*. The captain/keeper led from the front, showing his A grade talent with a dominant display.
Viotto was well and truly supported by youngster Harry Notman (71); the pair adding 176 for the opening-wicket. Jordan Smith (45*) continued the carnage once Notman was gone, as the Jumping Jacks finished 2-251.
In reply, Ellinbank was simply outclassed, all out for just 45. Greg Interlandi (3-10) and Tharindu Siriwardhana (2-11) picked up the majority of the wickets as Jindivick went into Christmas on a high.
Warragul has gone within touching distance of the top four, destroying an outclassed Western Park at home.
Bowling first, the Gulls showed their crosstown rivals that they may be passed the veteran side, as only James Allen (24) could withstand the strangulation Warragul possessed with the Kookaburra ball.
Tyler Constantine (4-16) stamped his authority at his favourite ground, while Nathan Macfarlane (2-12) and Paddy Mulqueen (2-10) were simply too good for a struggling Warriors outfit.
Western Park made just 95 and lost quickly thereafter, as Tyler Constantine (35) and Matt Bow (33) added 76 for the first wicket. Only a couple of late scalps slightly dampening their best performance of the season.
Garfield-Tynong fell to second-last on the ladder as the Crows soared to full flight at Tynong on the weekend.
Bowling first, Longwarry was never troubled by the feeble Titans’ batting - Zac Wright (2-17) providing the catalyst with the pill, whilst four runouts resigned Garfield-Tynong to 98 all out.
Two early wickets to Davis McConnell (2-35) put a scare through the Crows camp when it came time to bat. However, Longwarry’s experience and talent levels were too great as Randall Mitchell (49) and Dom Pullen (47) treated the Titans’ bowling with contempt to see Longwarry home.
Catani cemented its spot at the top of the division two ladder, accounting for fellow premiership aspirants’ Iona on the weekend.
Batting first, Catani’s strong batting line-up did the job again, as Josh Bethune (38) and Ross Douglas (29) added 69 for the first wicket. Brad McDonald (27) and Ross Korthold (27*) continued the momentum as the innings continued; the Blues making an imposing 7172 off their overs.
Sam Accardi (3-30) provided a spark with the ball for the Swamp Tigers.
In reply, Iona’s batting depth was severely tested by the best bowling attack in the division, and faltered. No batsman made a meaningful contribution, as the force of Daniel Glover (3-15) and Clint Fulton (2-25) rolled Iona for just 109 with only late-order hitting saving Iona for an even-more crushing defeat.